a u t o m o t i v e s

Nissan Leaf or Ford Electric ?

2011-02-01T22:01:00.001-08:00

Put aside, for a moment, the question of all-electric car versus plug-in hybrid--and the Volt-LEAF deathmatch that would likely ensue. We've had that question a lot here on PluginCars.com and much of the answer to it simply comes down to knowing your lifestyle and the driving needs generated by it. In many ways the two types of vehicles aren't even in competition with each other because they satisfy very different needs. As a result, the coverage of Volt vs. LEAF tends to be overblown and reality-challenged. It's a fake market comparison resulting from the lack of any other consumer-priced plug-in competition besides those two vehicles.

But, if you're in the market for an all-electric car, the lack of competition for the Nissan LEAF is about change with the impending arrival of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric. What this represents is no less than the first time ever that two mass-produced, relatively affordable, consumer-oriented, mid-sized 100% electric cars will be available for regular folks to buy and own. Think about that. A competition the world hasn't seen since the advent of the automobile.

It brings up all sorts of new questions and has sent more than few Nissan LEAF fence sitters and pre-orderers back to the drawing board to re-evaluate their allegiance. While it's difficult to compare the two cars--the LEAF has been out in the wild for more than a month now, whereas nobody's yet driven the just-unveiled Focus Electric--much is known about Ford's intentions and I recently had the chance to drive the gas-powered version of the 2012 Focus hatchback. Ford has promised that the electric version of the Focus won't lose any of the driving dynamics of the gas version. I've also had extensive time behind the wheel of the Nissan LEAF--including the world's first public full range driving test.

At this point I feel at least moderately qualified to answer some of those burning questions to help those who are now trying to decide what to do. I'll do my best. And I'll leave the question of styling preference up to you--I'd be daft not to.
1Handling

The Nissan LEAF is a fun car to drive. With its batteries low and in the exact center of gravity the LEAF has an exact 50/50 weight distribution making cornering effortless. Four-wheel disc brakes and stabilizer bars bring it under control quickly, and the electronic brake force distribution gives you the confidence to dodge impending obstacles with the best of them. With a 107 horsepower electric motor, and an always available 207 lb-ft of torque, the LEAF rockets from a standing start--beating even some high end performance cars at speeds from 0-40 mph. All that torque also makes passing on the highway a breeze. The Nissan LEAF has shown that it can reach a top speed of more than 95 mph.

Although no one has yet driven the production version of the Ford Focus Electric, I'm working on the Ford-professed principle that the electric version will lose none of the driving dynamics of the gas version--which I drove last week on the national media launch.

Like the LEAF, the 2012 Ford Focus is incredibly fun to drive. It, too, has four-wheel disc brakes, stabilizer bars and all the benefits of electric drive… plus it has a secret weapon--torque vectoring control. What is that exactly? A computer monitors the vehicle 100 times per second and when you enter a corner too hard it applies greater brake force to the interior slipping wheels and transfers more grip to the exterior wheels. The result? Even the worst drivers among us will feel like race car drivers. Ford will likely bring torque vectoring to the electric version as well. Although the Ford Focus Electric is rated at a higher 123 horsepower, it only delivers 181 lb-ft of torque. In the electric car world, torque is really the most important aspect of acceleration performance. Ford says the Focus Electric has a top speed of 84 mph.

Who Comes Out on Top?

Although the LEAF is fun to drive, if Ford can pull off its claim that the Focus electric will behave the same as the gas version, the Focus is the better handling vehicle. I repeatedly threw the Focus into corners rated at 25 mph at speeds of 50 mph and the car didn't skip a beat. I rarely ever heard any tire squeal and felt like I was in complete control the whole time. This is a car I would love to get out on a real race track.
2Charging Times

I dealt with this topic just yesterday in great detail. On a standard home charging unit, the LEAF is capable of adding about 15 miles of range per hour of charging, whereas on the same home charging unit the Focus will add about 30 miles of range per hour. The difference comes down to charging equipment on board each vehicle.

So, you say, it's clear cut. Not so fast. Among the two, the LEAF is likely to be the only one to support DC fast charging at launch--which can add about 80 miles of driving range in a half-hour of charging at commercial high voltage charging stations. Being able to DC fast charge brings an electric car much closer to parity with gas-powered cars for range capabilities. By the end of 2011 there will likely be 400 or so DC fast charging station spread throughout concentrated early launch markets in Oregon, Washington, California, Tennessee, Arizona and Texas.

Please see yesterday's post for more complete information.

Who Comes Out on Top?

Of all the comparisons, this is perhaps the least clear cut. But for resale value, future compatibility and functionality, the LEAF seems to be the strongest contender here--especially since you will likely be able to add higher speed home charging on par with the Focus within the next two years. The Focus Electric will never be able to add DC fast charging support if it's not included at launch.
3Battery Technology
The Focus Electric's battery pack is stuck behind the rear seats, a result of it not being engineered as an electric car from the ground up.

Ford has signed a supply agreement with Compact Power, a US-based subsidiary of LG Chem. Nissan's batteries are the result of a joint venture between them and NEC--called the Automotive Equipment Supply Corporation (AESC). Although initially both vehicles' batteries will be manufactured in Asia, starting in 2012 manufacturing will be shifted to facilities currently being built in Michigan (Compact Power) and Tennessee (Nissan).

Although both vehicles use very similar battery chemistry--flat, large-format, lithium-manganese, prismatic battery cells--the key difference here lies in how the batteries are managed. Ford's batteries will be actively heated and cooled using a liquid coolant circulated in tubes next to the flat cells. Nissan's do not have a sophisticated cooling system and largely depend on the movement of air through the batteries to keep them within acceptable operating temperatures. Nissan's approach ensures less-expensive manufacturing, but Ford's may help extend the lifespan of the battery pack.

The conventional wisdom is that heat is the biggest killer of battery lifespan--hence Ford's claim that liquid conditioning will extend the lifespan. All lithium-ion batteries degrade over time and may need to be replaced after 7-10 years. But given that the only data we have related to lithium-ion longevity comes from lab tests, it is hard to know how an entire battery pack will perform in daily driving use. Nissan has provided an 8 year/100,000 mile battery warranty and Ford will likely provide a minimum of the same.

In addition to battery longevity, external temperature tends to affect range in an electric car. Although these effects are not nearly as bad as with old lead-acid packs, lithium-ion can still see quite substantial effects when outside temperatures get extreme, lowering the range by 10-20%. The LEAF deals with this by pre-conditioning the batteries when the car is plugged in to keep them warm when it's cold--but this doesn't deal with extreme heat. Theoretically, the Ford Focus will be able to deal with temperature swings to a greater degree and may be better suited to more variable climates.

Who Comes Out on Top?

This is an incredibly difficult call, but without considering price, Ford's active liquid cooling/heating looks like the best option.
4Storage Space

The LEAF has a cavernous rear hatch and monstrous interior head- and legroom--the result of being engineered from the ground up as a dedicated electric car. There are videos floating on the internet showing parents fitting two big strollers in the back of the LEAF with other equipment and gear on top--as well as putting three high-backed booster seats across the back bench.
The Focus Electric's rear hatch volume is seriously handicapped by the location of the battery pack.

While there are no parent-made videos of the Focus Electric yet, it seems that the Focus will be hobbled from the get go because it wasn't designed as an electric car from the ground up. As a result, the batteries have been crammed into spaces normally reserved for cargo… as you can see in the picture to the right with the rear seats folded down. That huge hump filling up what looks like a full quarter of the useable space in the hatch is all battery.

Who Comes Out on Top?

I think the winner here is clear. The LEAF's huge hatch without intruding batteries makes it infinitely more functional.
5Wait Times

The Nissan LEAF is available now and the pre-ordering phase opened up last year. As a result Nissan has stopped taking reservations and is slowly releasing more pre-orderers for delivery. In fact, the lack of speed of delivery has cause quite some consternation on the part of the earliest adopters. Nissan is now saying that they will reach full production volume by March which should go a long way to reducing the wait list and reaching Nissan's promise of delivering all the cars that were pre-ordered by the end of Summer 2011. Even so, if you aren't on the reservation list already it will likely be late 2011 before you get your vehicle.

So, you say, I'm just going to take my money elsewhere an buy a Ford Focus Electric because they'll be available at the end of 2011. Not so fast. Although Ford has yet to detail the launch strategy and production numbers, you can be almost positive they will roll out tentatively as well--meaning that you may have a several month wait to get a Ford Focus Electric from the time they go on sale to actual delivery.

Who Comes Out on Top?

Nissan is already producing cars and will reach full production by March. As a result, if you are already on the wait list you are likely to get your vehicle, at the latest, by fall of 2011, and if you aren't on the wait list you will likely be able to walk into a dealer sometime in early 2012 and simply choose from a vehicle on the lot. Smart money says that Ford won't able to offer that until at least mid- to late 2012.
6Driver Displays
Top: The Nissan LEAF's main driver display.
Bottom: The Ford Focus Electric's main driver display.

Some have said the LEAF's displays are too sparse and lacking in information to help you maximize your mileage, as well as tell you how much actual energy there is left in your batteries. This lack of coaching and driver information means that the car is doing all the calculations for you and you may feel like you are operating inside a black box at times.

Although the Focus display has only been seen as a mock up at this point, what it looks to offer is complete customization and very helpful coaching applications. Based on the same driver displays developed for the Fusion Hybrid and complemented by MyFord Touch, the Focus Electric display appears to be a winner.

Who Comes Out on Top?

Based on admittedly-incomplete information, it looks like Ford will be the early front runner for electric car driver information available on its various displays.
7Pricing

We, of course, know exactly what the LEAF costs: a base MSRP of $32,780 with a $7,500 federal tax credit can knock that down to $25,280. Some states offer their own lucrative credits or rebates as well--in California the LEAF can be had for just a hair over $20,000. In the end, even without the California rebate or other state rebates, you'd be hard pressed to find any vehicle loaded with as much stuff as the LEAF for less than $28,000, making it one of the best automotive deals in the U.S.

We really don't know what the Focus Electric will cost. I've seen the $30,000 number thrown around in various places and we here at PluginCars.com even use it as our estimated price on our Focus Electric page. While that may be the target price for the Focus Electric, it is unclear if that means before or after the $7,500 federal tax credit. My bet is that it is after, given that the Focus has such a sophisticated battery thermal management system.

Who Comes Out on Top?

While we won't know Focus Electric pricing for some months, the best educated guess says that it will be more expensive than the LEAF before tax credits.

http://www.electroleaf.net

About the Author

By Nick Chambers plugins

Best Car Speakers - What to Look For

2010-12-29T19:42:00.001-08:00

Car speakers can be a complicated thing if you don't know what you look for as there are many factors that play into finding the right one for you. First off you want to make sure that you're getting a good deal money wise. Doing the research on this is very important, it can be tempting to snag the first one you think will work but get a good list going of what is compatible and make a decision.

While this article is about finding the best speakers it is important to know that without the correct audio setup to be able to power these speakers. If you're not getting enough power to the speakers they will not function properly and can actually get damaged by insufficient power. The standard units that come with most cars are probably not going to be sufficient.

Assuming you have the correct power output you now have to make sure that the RMS on the speakers and on the amplifier match. They both have to have enough power for each other and without the correct amount the system will eventually fail. It would also be wise to know the peak power of the system to ensure unexpected volume boosts or spikes wont damage it.

Many people simply think installing some new speakers will get them the sound they want. It is a general known in the speaker world that unless speakers are full range they aren't worth much by themselves. Having subwoofers and tweeters will give you that full range sound without the distortion you'd get with just a basic speaker alone. You will get a much cleaner and sharper high/low range instead of a good mid with distorted highs and lows.

The next thing we come to is the size of the speakers. Many cars have many different sized speakers and you're going to want to pull out the old ones or check the owners manual to ensure that their replacements are the correct size. This is important because sizes can vary by a very small margin. Some speakers are 5 inches some are 5.5 inches and some are 5.25 inches so knowing the exact size is very important. Ordering some speakers and uninstalling the old ones just to find out you have the wrong ones is a very, very disappointing time. Along with this make sure that the depth of the speaker is not too much. The old speakers could be small with a low margin of error for room fit with how compact cars are these days. Make sure the new ones aren't very much deeper than the old ones unless there is a lot of leeway. Mounting brackets can also take up space so try to account for those as well.

With this information you should have all the concepts you need to find the correct speakers to fit your needs. Picking the right brand is another topic. Simply check out the more popular brands and check customer reviews to find out their true worth. Cross check certain brand prices and find a happy medium. If they're suspiciously cheap with mediocre reviews, it's probably good to stay away, as well as if they're overpriced with not so good reviews, stay away. Find the happy medium with a decent price and great reviews. They're out there, you just have to look!

Steps on Updating Your BMW Navigation DVD

2010-12-29T19:09:00.000-08:00

If you BMW is more than one or two year old, it might be the time to update your BMW navigation DVD, especially for the software. The facts that BMW updates with its software every three months by adding new restaurants, hotels, streets and points of interest. Etc. if your driving are much more depending on the car navigation to guide your around traffic jams, you'd better to update BMW navigation software every year.

To update BMW navigation DVD you will need:
• A newly updated BMW disc
• BMW installation manual - different BMWs have different ways of opening the DVD drive but most cars have the drive right in or behind the radio.

Step 1:
Purchase the BMW navigation software. As we mentioned above, BMW releases a new navigation disc every three months. The discs are updated with such items as tourist information, any road changes (newly opened or recently closed roads), locations of parking lots or garages, restaurants, airports, etc. If you tend to be a homebody and rarely explore outlying areas, you might not need to upgrade your BMW navigation software every year. Older BMW car DVD are CD based while those produced after 2002 are DVD based so make sure you purchase the right media for updating of your GPS system. Regardless, whenever you want to update the GPS, you can obtain the or CD at BMW.com.

Step 2:
Locate your BMW car manual and find out how to open the CD/DVD drive. The CD or DVD navigation discs are stored in a drive behind the radio. There will be a button on the radio for either 'eject' or 'open' which you will need to press in order to load the new disc.

Step 3:
Abandon your oldBMW navigation DVD disc. After the drive is open, eject the old disc (if there is one - the newer cars might have the GPS information stored on a computer drive so there may not be a disc. If there is a disc, eject it, and insert the new CD or DVD disc. That's all there is to updating your BMW navigation DVD!

Shelby GT500 Mustang Custom Fit Luggage Set

2008-06-23T05:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

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"

2008-06-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-15T00:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

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%

2008-06-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

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 donâ€™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 Mixtureâ€¦?

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 youâ€™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 didnâ€™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. Thatâ€™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 donâ€™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.

Pimp your ride: Audi Interiors

2008-04-30T15:35:00.001-07:00

Audi have enjoyed a great relationship with the British driving public.
Regular buyers claim the cars have superior exteriors and have
excellent interiors. However, one of the most common complaints Audi
customers have is that some models often do not come as standard with
leather interior. Audi has recently launched their own personalisation
program called 'exclusive'

Audi's exclusive program allows buyers to choose to make bespoke themes
for any Audi model. For example, you may choose to have a pink colour
for your car and your interior could be an orange shade!! This is a
major drawback of the exclusive scheme as it is going to produce some
truly horrible cars. The 1st Audi TT exclusive model to come off the
production line was pink!!

The exclusive scheme has over 30,000 different options therefore
'exclusive' customers may well have a unique car rather than the
mundane cars such as Fords, Vauxhalls and Citroens. The scheme includes
the option to change carpets, mats, the headliners and seatbelts. It is
thought the Audi exclusive scheme evolved out of the famous MTV series,
Pimp My Ride.

It is expected the exclusive scheme will be commonly used on the Audi
A3 model. The A3 range comprises of five petrol engines and 3 turbo
diesel engines with the top turbo diesel engine producing 168 BHP. The
Audi A3 has a higher premium rather the similar Volkswagen Golf and
this raises for changes made under the exclusive scheme. Audi A3 owners
benefit from very good resale values and A3's usually give years of
reliable service and trouble free driving.

Another of the popular options under the exclusive scheme is the Audi
TT. There are just two engines available for the Audi TT these are the
2.0 litre turbocharged and the 3.2 litre V6 engine. There is very high
demand for the Audi TT and this can usually cause the price to remain
high. Also the TT buyers benefit from very high resale values.

All in all it is worthwhile to consider Audi's exclusive scheme and also to consider Audi leather interiors to give your prized possession the class feel it deserves. Audi interiors are the best in the business but to make it totally unique you may choose the exclusive service.

author

Darrell Freeman writing on behalf of Trim technik the specialist in Audi leather interiors

Tips to Selling New and Used Luxury Cars Online

2008-04-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

People buy items online everyday. Oftentimes, collector car traders begin their searches with online shopping sites, even before they visit the classic car dealers in their home state. Itâ€™s the connectivity that makes the Internet so appealing for car enthusiasts; it gives them the ability to find those rare, exotic sports cars for sale right now.

The largest difference between buying from an online car dealer and from a traditional lot is in the delivery of the sale. Traditional lots rely on sensate techniques to sell the vehicle. Consumers grip the steering wheel and smell the interior of a new vehicle. They touch this and pull that, take a quick test drive, and by the time they're pulling back into the lot, a decision has been made.

Online car dealers don't have these tools to work with, and so their success is garnered by a different set of rules. In no particular order, here are the top five tips that have propelled everyday sellers into successful online car dealers.

How to Sell Classic Collectible Cars, Exotic Sports Cars and New Luxury Cars Online

1. Take Photographs

When selling online, use more photographs than those available from the manufacturing company. If possible, consumers like to see the exact car that they are purchasing or bidding on, and not an advertisement.

This point is especially true when it comes to selling used luxury cars online. A car is more likely to sell if every contour has been photographed. Make sure to catalog every nick, and capture every angle of the interior & exterior. Have close-ups of any minor or major damages even if they have been repaired.

2. List the Vehicle on an Appropriate Website

Some classic car dealers prefer to list their vehicles on their own site. For most people, the added cost of maintaining a website is unnecessary, especially considering that Internet stores such as ebay and ebay alternatives offer the same features at a increment of the cost, and include a much larger consumer base.

When choosing a website, be sure that the listing has all the features needed to make a great presentation to your buyers. Selling on eBay may seem like the simplest choice, but savvy buyers of luxury cars and antique cars may avoid it, as their listings are closer to a flea market than a high-end auction. Ebay alternative websites such as www.emart4cars.com and www.caroffer.com include a devoted pool of automotive buyers as well as specialized features for automotive listings. If there are other luxury items you want to sell in addition to cars, such as boats or antiques, then www.highendcrazy.com may be the best fit of all. Regardless of the website that you choose, be sure to research the cost of the listings beforehand. Take note of the commission or subscription rates of each website, as these costs vary.

3. Include as many Details on the Vehicle as Possible

The listing should include all of the specifics on the vehicle such as: engine & transmission details, average miles per gallon, seat capacity, size & weight, etc. If there are any special features, such as a car stereo system or a vintage stereo in an antique car, note these in the text. Buyers are more likely to trust a listing with detailed information.

If the vehicle is used, then even more details are required. Used cars should include details on the condition of the tires, the number of miles on the car, and the service record of the vehicle. Certain special features can be listed for classic collectible cars. Be sure to include an email address or contact information for any questions. If possible, luxury auto buyers, exotic sports car buyers & classic car aficionados prefer to speak with savvy sellers who are collectors themselves when making a purchase online.

4. Provide a Complete Car History

Online buyers want to have a complete record of a car before they make their purchase. This means that as a seller, you'll need to chronologically list any maintenance on the car (such as a rebuilt engine, transmission or alterations to the fuel system) as well as an accident report. One commonly overlooked detail is the amount of previous owners. If the car has one previous owner, buyers can expect it to have less wear and tear.

5. Seek Out Buyers and Meet Them

Classic car lovers and luxury car collectors can be found across the world. There are many online and offline groups for buyers who love luxury brands such as: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and more. You can find websites for many of these groups online. When you do, drop them a line and let them know about your vehicles.

GPS Automotive Systems

2008-04-23T04:33:00.000-07:00

There are a number of different styles of GPS auto navigation systems available to suit the needs of the individual, from basic models through to expensive and highly accurate systems able to manage large amounts of data and provide information to the users in order to give feedback about where they have been.

The simplest kind of auto navigation GPS system is a removable gadget that stores the map data internally, and uses a satellite signal to pinpoint the position of the unit. By combining the map data and the satellite signal, routes can be planned, and the user can find their way, while seeing a graphical representation of their route on a small screen. These GPS auto navigation systems can be either removable, or fixed into the car. Many new models actually integrate the GPS into the dashboard, while non fixed systems can either be mounted on the dash, or attached to the windshield using a suction cup.

As well as dedicated auto GPS devices, it is also possible to buy a large number of other gadgets with GPS as a built in feature. Some GPS PDAs can have a GPS module plugged in to them, and used in cars, and an increasing number of cell phones have GPS as a standard feature. On the whole, although these devices have GPS built in, it is not of the same standard as a dedicated system, and wile it may help you know where you are, it will not provide such accurate data or be able to plan routes on the go as well as one of the custom systems from Garmin or Magellan.

GPS or Global Positioning System is a fully functional Global Navigation Satellite System. This system uses an artificial constellation of 24 medium Earth orbit satellites. These satellites transmit microwave signals, thus enabling a GPS receiver to determine its location, speed, direction and time not because you never know when there will be a detour, bad weather, a wreck, or anything .

So you want to narrow things down some more and look for a vendor that has a dedicated GPS store on an auction site. Yes, they exist, and some of them offer both new and refurbished systems from all of the major GPS manufacturers. They usually carry all the accessories as well, and since they use auctions to sell, you can get some terrific deals. Further, unlike even the best GPS websites, the inventory of auction sites constantly changes. So you not only have a shot at a terrific deal, but there is also an unusually large variety of products to choose from, both new and refurbished.

Automotive gps systems have the same features as many of the handheld portable gps receivers do, however, most of them are larger and stay in the car. But there are a few models that can be taken out of the car and carried around with you as you walk around the city or the woods; it depends on which model you want to purchase. Most of the automotive gps models have a larger LCD touchscreen and come with more maps than the handheld units. Street level maps and millions of POI's or points of interests such as restaurants, ATM's and banks, zoo's, schools and parks are already preprogrammed into the automotive gps systems. Although there are programs in which you can program your own POI's such as schools and speed cameras so you know to avoid them each time you pass by that way.

GPS technology is still new in terms of public use and access. A marine GPS can be the lifeline for your voyage if you find yourself out in the middle of the high seas without a clue as to where you are going. It was just a few years ago that GPS systems appeared in the marketplace and to this day, it's easier to find someone without GPS than with one.

http://www.gpsshopsite.com/GPS-Devices/Automotive-GPS-Devices

Jeep Parts and a quality SUV

2008-04-15T08:48:00.001-07:00

The sport utility vehicle brand Jeep, which was once part of the
American Motors Corporation, has been in the automobile industry since
1941. As the longest existing SUV marquee in the business, it is among
the top choices of off-road enthusiasts as it has attested to the
varying demands in this volatile world of automobiles. Today, Jeep
continues to evolve and to produce more vehicles that are equipped with
efficient Jeep Parts since it joined Chrysler Corporation more than two
decades ago.

Models of the company greatly rely on the standard Jeep Parts as these
contribute to the overall function of each vehicle. Since the products
of Jeep, like the compact SUV Liberty (or Cherokee outside the United
States), the medium size SUVs Grand Cherokee, and the pick-up truck
Comanche, among others, are all geared toward off-road adventures,
these SUVs are unified and equipped with sturdy auto parts that are
tasked to endure the literally tough demands brought about by
inconsistent terrains of off-road trails. A Jeep Grand Cherokee, for
example, will definitely need more muscle to easily traverse easily
these rocky off-road paths. For thatIn order to handle such obstacles,
the company powered this SUV with a 6.1-liter HEMI V8 engine that
allows this mid-size vehicle to muster enough energy needed for the
whole operation. With such a beefed up powertrain system, the American
automaker strategically installed an equally high-performing suspension
system. This is tasked to complement the engine's capabilities and at
the same time provide better ride control and stability for the
driver's and the passenger's convenience and comfort. With the
suspension parts like springs, control arms, anti-sway bars, and shock
absorbers, among others, the person behind the steering wheel can
maneuver the vehicle to sudden and sharp turns with much ease and
firmness. In addition to those Jeep Parts, the efficient brake system
further enables a Jeep SUV to be safely driven even on rough paths.

Like any other auto parts, Jeep parts
are also weakened by the everyday wear and tear. In order to
continuously enjoy the benefits of the Jeep SUV, it is only best for
owners to keep track of the shelf-life of these crucial auto components
as well as detect the defective ones. Once a Jeep Part or two is
damaged, it is best to get it fix or to replace the component
altogether than endure the unfortunate consequences later on.

author

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the
Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he
is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Green Ford Parts

2008-04-15T08:47:00.001-07:00

Ford Motor Company, which debuted in the industry more than a century
ago, is one of the leading automobile companies worldwide. This
American automaker takes pride in its competent sales across the globe
that makes this brand a household name especially in the United States.
Aside from ensuring that its models can perform well, the company is
also keen in improving its Ford Parts to become efficient yet
environment-friendly.

Through the years, there are Ford Parts that came out that not only
improve the performance of the vehicle but at the same time keep it
"green". Ford Motors applied various automobile technologies to further
keep its vehicles 'sensitive' enough to care for the environment. The
catalytic converter, for example, is used by the American automaker in
its cars, sport utility vehicles, and trucks to keep the noxious
emissions on safe levels. With this auto part intact in the system,
system exhaust fumes produced by during the internal engine combustion
is treated before released into the air. In this way, harmful gases are
lessened because of the catalytic converter.

Another component installed in the company's vehicles is the oxygen
sensor. This diminutive part is strategically placed along the exhaust
manifold and near the catalytic converter as it examines exhaust fumes
for the availability of air. Once it detects a low oxygen presence in
the engine's mixture, it relays the information immediately to the
engine control unit. From there, necessary adjustments are done for the
engine to have a good mixture of cool air and fuel. Once the vehicle's
power plant is efficient enough, it will no longer emit too much
exhaust fumes that are harmful to the atmosphere. These are just some
of the many Ford Parts that make the vehicles of the company gentler to
the environment.

Ford invests a lot in improving its Ford Parts
to become gentler to the environment. This only shows how dedicated the
American company is in providing its users with greener options.

AUTHOR

Anthony
Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy
City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not
busy customizing cars in his shop.

Hybrid Cars Go Stylish

2008-04-13T02:02:00.001-07:00

Hybrid cars are taking the world by storm - figuratively, literally.
And here are just two of the latest hybrid cars that avid car fans and
buyers are sure to love.

If you want an eco-friendly hybrid car that not only drives like a
dream but is a weight off your conscious too, then you must see the PGO
Cevennes Turbo-CNG. This nifty little hybrid car will run on bio gas
making it essential in today's fight against global warming.

You may be forgiven for thinking that hybrid cars are going to end
up looking, well, ugly. This is simply not the case where the PGO
Cevennes Turbo-CNG is concerned. Looking at the car's rounded edges and
the sleek design you may as well be looking at one of the top sports
cars in the world. With a soft top to boot, you can make sure your next
luxury car is a hybrid one.

The PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG has been developed by BRA GmbH. This
company has been at the very forefront of the development of hybrid
cars for well over ten years now. They are based in Germany and they
have developed not only environmentally-friendly hybrid cars but cars
that have excellent style and design, as well.

The car itself isn't due to be released until March 2008, but you
can be sure it will open to a fanfare of utter amazement! The car is
only likely to cost around 48,000 Euros making it not only
environmentally-friendly but also friendly on your pockets, as well.

The Cadillac Provoq concept

America has realized that the gas-guzzling, environment-harming
vehicles are not going to save the world any time soon. The eco-drive
and style brought by hybrid cars have finally found their way to
America and they have managed to do it in amazing degree... Not that we
expected anything less of course.

As the flag bearer of hybrid cars, the Cadillac Provoq concept car
has two main points. On the one side, it clearly shows the style, class
and beauty that is renowned with Cadillac cars. It also has in its
favour the hybrid car technology that is actually making the car a sure
heart-stopper.

The Cadillac Provoq concept car is made to appeal to the luxury car
owners; it oozes class and style and is sure to stand up in its own
right against other luxury cars. If it is luxury next to hybrid car
technology that you are looking for then you need not look any further.

The Cadillac Provoq concept hybrid car has wheels that are powered
by the car's 94bhp motor, which of course is electric. The car's rear
wheels have the 54bhp motor each. These features enhance the Provoq's
mileage for every small amount of gas it consumes - saving the planet
and your pocket from hundreds of dollars spent on fuel. This is
something that Cadillac Provoq owners would be very much proud of.

The PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG and the Cadillac Provoq concept will fit
right into any city or town and with their sporty look and sleek design
they are simply head turners.

Know-hows of Houston Texas Used Car Dealers

2008-04-12T13:58:00.000-07:00

Used car dealing is a huge business in USA. And with increasing number of foreigners immigrating or coming for long and short term, it is increasing in mammoth ratio. In Texas too, used car business is flourishing at a high rate. The innumerable dealers of Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Kia, and Nissan gives an idea of how Houston Texas Used Car Dealers' market is flourishing.

If you want to purchase a used car, just sit before your computer and go through various websites. You think of a query and it will be solved within minutes. They provide the viewers every possible information regarding cost, mileage or accident history. Information about vehicle type, year of manufacturing and model, everything will be within your reach instantly. They let the viewers know about the loan facilities, online calculators, service providers and everything with just a click of the mouse.

When buying a used car, there are certain points buyer must keep in mind. Firstly, the dealer should be reliable. An experienced dealer is always recommendable because they honor their customer for their goodwill. Among Houston Texas used car dealers, many of them are in business for more than fifty years. With a strong foothold in market, such dealers always come handy when a problem crops up with the car. A used car would naturally give trouble to the owner every now and then and hence owner would rush to the dealer. An experienced dealer would ensure a cut in these visits.

Next to the car, second most important factor is the car insurance. Many of Houston, Texas used car dealers offer plans that extend the manufacturer warranty to cater the requirements of both the car and the driver. These plans start from 3 yrs/50,000 miles to 7 yrs/100.000 miles. Then there are other plans like Maximum Care Service, which protects the entire car, or there is Powertrain contract to insure its parts. There is complementary Towing Assistance and Rental Allowance along with these plans. These plans are available with any Chrysler dealer in Houston.

If you are buying a used car, you should be careful enough to choose a dealer who offers quality parts to maintain your vehicle. They should also have inventory of these certified parts. These are the key factor of a smooth running car.

So, if you are a new driver, running short of cash or have come to Texas temporarily and don't want to invest much, you know what are the dos and don'ts, where to go and what to keep in mind. Have a nice and safe driving!!!

Summary: This article explains what are the factors that should be kept in mind when you are purchasing a used car. Along with the car, reliability of the dealer, services, finance and insurance should also be kept in consideration. To know more about this topic, the Heidi recommends you to visit http://www.archersouthwest.com/

Volkswagen Dealers Are All Smiles

2008-04-12T13:56:00.001-07:00

Blimey. Was I embarrassed or was I embarrassed. Nipped into my friendly neighbourhood Volkswagen dealer last week, put two and two together and came up with far more than four. The salesmen were all smiles, jovial and ever-so-friendly. Well, with the world in the state that it is, I figured there was only one explanation for this frivolity - drugs. I debated how many real salesmen were trapped in the back office and just how to escape these impostors and inform the police. Suddenly one of them pounced and asked if he could help me and after looking gormlessly at him, I decided that in fact these guys were happy because they were just, well happy.

Me being the idiot that I am, it turns out Volkswagen dealers only deal one form of drug, the very real, the very legal adrenaline. And small wonder Volkswagen dealers' are smiling ear to ear, with their current line-up of vehicles, Volkswagen are strongly positioned to become the market leader across their range - most notably the dopamine deliverer, the Golf GTi.

Ever since the MK I burst onto the scene in 1976, engulfed in a cloud of tyre smoke and snarling engine, the GTi name has always been synonymous with Volkswagen's 'hot hatch', in the same way that 'Stuck in the middle with you' by Steelers Wheel is no longer heard as a catchy pop song, but as the soundtrack to a policeman having un-consenting surgery in Reservoir Dogs - so mighty was its impact things would never be the same again. However as was the case with Elvis, as the king of the road began to gain more and more accolades and success, the waste-line began to expand and its performance became slower and more laboured.

Heritage however counts for a lot and whenever a Golf was bestowed the fabled 'GTi' badge, buyers clamoured to have one on their driveways. Besides, an overweight Golf GTi was still streets ahead of its rivals, as was the case with the Mk III and sales continued apace. However when the Mk IV was launched to lukewarm reviews in 1999, it seemed the Golf had eaten its last burger. In fact the Mk IV was only badged 'GTi' in Britain and was called the 'Trendline' (oh dear) elsewhere. Elvis Impersonator anyone?

To make things far worse, there was a new cat in town which simply blew the Golf away - the Honda Civic Type R. The Civic was cheaper than the Golf, faster than the Golf, had bullet-proof reliability and styling that screamed "speed!" The Type R devoured every performance car award going and continued onwards to head-butting the horizon.

However Volkswagen regrouped, put the Golf on a strict diet and training regime, gave it a new wardrobe and launched the Mk V GTi in 2005. To put the Elvis analogies to bed, the Mk V is the comeback special. Developing 200bhp from its 2.0 litre turbocharged engine, the GTi develops twice the torque of its great, great granddad the MK I, despite using no more fuel. A six speed gearbox is offered as is a sequential one to get your gear change time down to milliseconds. Plump for the sequential one however and not only can you achieve 0-60 in 6.9 seconds, but you'll feel like a Formula One driver with the flappy paddles behind the steering wheel. Pull up on the right to change up, up on the left to change down, lo and behold you're Lewis Hamilton. Even the steering wheel itself gets in on the act, with its flat bottom as useable as it is looking good.

Better still is the exterior styling. Whereas the Mk III and IV were a Golf with a different badge and no other discernable features, the latest offering again harks back to the golden years. A gaping black grill greets you at the front, whilst huge exhausts hang proudly out at the rear. Five spoke alloy wheels that converge into five half circles finish the aggressive look. Hot hatches are back in vogue and Volkswagen want to shout about it.

Bit of trivia for you, the word "Golf" doesn't appear anywhere on the car. It's a GTi and nothing else. "Yes, we had a little bit decaffeinated the GTI," were the words of Jörn Hinrichs, Volkswagen's marketing head upon the launch of this masterpiece. Having seen the enthusiasm of Volkswagen dealers now they have such a special car on their forecourts, it appears they've been re-caffeinated too.

Phoenix Auto Glass, Phoenix Windshield Replacement, And What You Should Know About Your Broken Windshield

2008-04-10T05:49:00.000-07:00

Imagine driving in your car without it. Your windshield that is. The wind at your face, blowing through your hair while you fly down the road at high speeds. Sounds pretty neat huh. Fortunately the piece of Glass in front of you while you drive is one of the most important safety features of all cars today. Without it, stones, debris, weather, and other road hazards would do some serious damage to you and other passengers.

What is a windshield you may ask. Well it is 2 pieces of float glass with a plastic laminate sheet sandwiched between the glass. The reason for this is safety. Windshields which hold an asa-1 rating can and must withstand impact ratings. That means that if a stone the size of a pebble hits your window, it will not penetrate the glass, even if you are going at high speeds. The main reason for windshield breakage is due to the stone getting between the treads of tires and are flung in the air bouncing off the road and into the glass. The glass depending on the angle of the hit and how fast you are going can get damaged. These stone bruises are pretty ugly, and many people fear that because the glass is broken, the windshield will cave in on then. This is not exactly true except for another safety factor discussed later on. Remember a Windshield is 2 pieces of glass. The Plastic Lamination between them has protected the inner piece of glass. So all you are left with is an unsightly crack in the outside glass. Now you can live with the bruise or get it repaired or replaced.

The glass in the rest of the car is different. Around the 1950's the door glass and the backglass change to a tempered plate. It is just one piece of glass that is sent into an atmospheric oven that heats and quenches the glass which hardens it. PSI (pounds per square inch) can be in the 100's. Have you ever seen a door glass break. I'm sure if you take a hammer to it you would be surprise. You either must hit it many times or break it on the first shot. But when it does break it falls apart into hundreds of small glass beads. A good tempered door glass will not cut you. A poorly tempered glass will break in shards and can cut badly. One of the reasons for choosing and OEM glass product.

The reason for different types of glass in vehicles today is safety. We could not have tempered glass for Windshields on the roads in the United States. Although harder to break than a Windshield, tempered glass is can be very unstable. If the skin is broken, it could explode in your face while driving. The real reason for this product is incase of rollover. It is very difficult to cut through laminated glass. So if you are ever trapped in your car, its easier to get through tempered than laminate.

Many people are amazed that one cold winter day or hot summer day, they came out to the car and all of a sudden they noticed a long crack running through the windshield, or the back glass is broken in a million pieces on your back seat. It is not a happy experience. They wonder how this happened, and they are now concerned for their safety. Many people ask their Glass expert how it happened when they go to get it replaced. The answer is simple. The windshield at some point had a small crack or bruise. The tempered backglass might of had a defect. Glass is very susceptible to quick changes in temperature. For example, on one cold winter morning you get into your car to warm it up. When you turned on your vehicle, you hit the defrost button on to take the ice, snow or frost off the windshield. Due to the fast expansion of the glass, the defect in the window started to run into a crack. The other situation is the heat of the summer. You drove to the supermarket with the A/C on. You get out of the car and shop for an hour. The range of temperature went from say 70 degrees to almost 200 degrees. Yes, you literally can fry an egg on the dashboard in this situation. The quick change of temperatures with cars that have a stone bruise, or an improperly installed or defective windshield or tempered part can fail, an break.

A cracked windshield compromises your safety. Even though the windshield will not cave in on you, it is not exactly safe and can pose as a dangerous situation. As vehicle manufactures started to streamline cars using Uni-Body design's, which now the car has no main frame, windshields now perform a very important safety factor for the structural integrity of the car. All cars now must pass certain roll over tests, and as the car manufacture lighted the weight of the vehicle, they made the windshield an important factor in roll over safety. With a cracked, or stone bruised windshield you are now compromising the structure of that rollover safety. Let me give you an example that a science teacher might have taught us in grammar school. Take an egg. Place 2 fingers on the top and the bottom of the egg. Now squeeze with all your might. What happened. Nothing right. Yes, mother nature created the perfect non breakable structure, so that when mother hen sat on it the wrong way, it would not break. However now take a needle and poke it through the egg. Just like the stone in the windshield. You have now compromised its integrity. Now take your fingers to the egg, and squeeze again. Opss...you now have egg all over your hands. The same theory is now being used in windshield glass, and god forbid you get into an accident and roll. Your windshield better be free of bruises or cracks.

The adhessive which holds your windshield in place is another very important factor. The adhesive must be auto glass urethane which meets or exceeds government safety standards. That is it must be strong enough to keep the vehicles occupants in the car during an accident. Automotive urethanes are rated on a PSI(pounds per square inch) scale of 500 or more. So when you have your windshield replaced the technician must use automotive urethane.

The biggest concern people have about replacing their windshield is breaking the original seal at the factory. It is true that the glass installer must cut the old windshield out of the car, if properly installed the new seal is just as good as the one done at the factory. Again the auto glass installer must use auto adhessive Urethane, and primers that have met or surpassed governement safety standards.

Another concern of all Glass Dealers and Customers are cure times (how long does it take for the Urethane (glue) to dry and become safe for the customer to drive). At Rock Star Auto Glass we only use a true "quick cure urethane." This quick dry will allow you to be on the roida angain within the hour!

Of course, with any auto glass need, please call ROCK STAR AUTO GLASS! We are more than happy to cmoe to your home or office to replace or repair that broken piece of glass!

Sincerely,

Brian Burt President Rock*Star Auto Glass www.rockstarautoglass.com 480.232.5554

Brian Burt is a well recognized figure in the auto glass industry. His expertise has led Rock Star Auto Glass to become Arizona's number 1 auto glass company.

Hybrid Cars Go Stylish

2008-04-06T01:26:00.000-07:00

Hybrid cars are taking the world by storm - figuratively, literally. And here are just two of the latest hybrid cars that avid car fans and buyers are sure to love.

If you want an eco-friendly hybrid car that not only drives like a dream but is a weight off your conscious too, then you must see the PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG. This nifty little hybrid car will run on bio gas making it essential in today's fight against global warming.

You may be forgiven for thinking that hybrid cars are going to end up looking, well, ugly. This is simply not the case where the PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG is concerned. Looking at the car's rounded edges and the sleek design you may as well be looking at one of the top sports cars in the world. With a soft top to boot, you can make sure your next luxury car is a hybrid one.

The PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG has been developed by BRA GmbH. This company has been at the very forefront of the development of hybrid cars for well over ten years now. They are based in Germany and they have developed not only environmentally-friendly hybrid cars but cars that have excellent style and design, as well.

The car itself isn't due to be released until March 2008, but you can be sure it will open to a fanfare of utter amazement! The car is only likely to cost around 48,000 Euros making it not only environmentally-friendly but also friendly on your pockets, as well.

The Cadillac Provoq concept

America has realized that the gas-guzzling, environment-harming vehicles are not going to save the world any time soon. The eco-drive and style brought by hybrid cars have finally found their way to America and they have managed to do it in amazing degree... Not that we expected anything less of course.

As the flag bearer of hybrid cars, the Cadillac Provoq concept car has two main points. On the one side, it clearly shows the style, class and beauty that is renowned with Cadillac cars. It also has in its favour the hybrid car technology that is actually making the car a sure heart-stopper.

The Cadillac Provoq concept car is made to appeal to the luxury car owners; it oozes class and style and is sure to stand up in its own right against other luxury cars. If it is luxury next to hybrid car technology that you are looking for then you need not look any further.

The Cadillac Provoq concept hybrid car has wheels that are powered by the car's 94bhp motor, which of course is electric. The car's rear wheels have the 54bhp motor each. These features enhance the Provoq's mileage for every small amount of gas it consumes - saving the planet and your pocket from hundreds of dollars spent on fuel. This is something that Cadillac Provoq owners would be very much proud of.

The PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG and the Cadillac Provoq concept will fit right into any city or town and with their sporty look and sleek design they are simply head turners.

Goodyear all season tires.

2008-04-06T00:56:00.001-07:00

It is disaster to have a flat tire during bad weather. Suppose you are rushing somewhere and again you find a flat tire on a deserted road, this would be the most irritating situation ever. To avoid this it is better to make use of Goodyear all season tires. These tires are specially designed to endure all the tantrums of bad weather.

Goodyear is a very renowned name in tire business. The "Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company" was started in 1898. This company was purchased by Seiberling. Over the years with many breakthroughs, improvements, and innovations this company has emerged as global brand in this field. Today this company is the world's largest and most renowned tire company. This company operates in 6 continents and has an estimated sale of $15 billion annually. In addition to it this company also produces some other famous brands like Dunlop, Fulda, Kelly, Sava, Lee, and Debica.

Goodyear all season tires produce best of the tires that one can use through all the seasons. The famous brands that are suitable to use all the seasons are Eagle Vector+, Vector 5, Wrangler HP all weather, and Cargo Vector.

Eagle Vector+ is one of the most popular all season tires. This tire has special ability to adapt and change in weather conditions and changes in driving also. These tires are very cost effective and use the most innovative technology that is bound to deliver a high end performance in all weather conditions. This tire uses patented weather reactive technology. This tire also has an improved grip in snow and ice.

Vector 5 is also a famous brand in the series of all season tires. You need not have to change the tire according to seasons once you opt for the vector 5 or vector 5+. The latest technology enables these tires to adapt to any kind of weather. These highly cost effective tires are the best among all season tires. These tires are famous for their direct response to varying weather conditions. These tires give you a year-round performance and adaptive compound ensures an increased mileage.

Wrangle HP all weather is an intelligent self adapting 4 × 4 tire. This is a tire that won't let you down in any condition. This is a true all weather tire and is bound to deliver high performance. The all weather tread compound of this tire gives an effective traction in both winter and summer condition. You can expect a peak performance throughout the year from this tire.

The cargo vector is yet another of the Goodyear all season tires. This tire is very beneficial for vans and trucks. This tire makes bad weathers bearable and ensures a safe journey. In winter this tire provides a good traction in the snow and still delivers the best performance.

Goodyear all season tires are very useful and very cost effective. You can rest assured about high performance and these tire will never let you down. The best of innovative technology and years of experience of Goodyear has resulted in the best Goodyear all season tires.

Mustang Exhaust - From The Header To The Tailpipe

2008-04-06T00:54:00.000-07:00

In terms of popularity, upgrading the exhaust of a Mustang is second only to replacing the wheels. It doesn't matter if you are changing out the mid-pipes or replacing the whole system --when you own a Mustang, you want the exhaust system to last and sound good. To get these results, you will need to improve and/or replace the components of your exhaust. What are the different components of the mustang exhaust?

There is more to the mustang exhaust system than just pieces of metal bolted together. Your mustang exhaust performs many functions, the most important ones are the following. They move the hot exhaust gases coming from your engine out of the car. They limit the noise output and reduce exhaust emissions. The faster you are able increase the air flow through the engine the better overall performance you will have and the exhaust is integral this.

How are these things done by the exhaust system? It is accomplished by the pushing of the gases, beginning in the engine and continuing through to the pipes and mufflers, and ending by going out of the car. The mustang exhaust system has three main parts. It doesn't matter what year your mustang was built, they all have the same set-up. It is strongly recommended that both of the headers be upgraded and a cat-back exhaust be used. Your performance will definitely improve. As a bonus, you may get better sound and fuel efficiency.

We begin with the manifolds. This piece is connected to the exhaust ports, and joins the waste gases from all of the cylinders into a single location. Some people will refer to this piece as the "mustang headers". Despite the fact the names are both used, they actually refer to two slightly different things. Manifolds force the gases into a single chamber at maximum speed and pressure. The headers consist of tubes which allow the gases to flow at their own pace, like water through a drain.

The next part is the mid-pipe, which is a component of every mustang exhaust system. This is the place where the gases arrive after they leave the manifold, with the main purpose being to equalize the exhaust pulses. These are the exhaust bursts from the engine to the pipe, which creates a more efficient working of the system, and allow the engine to produce greater power.

The third component is known as the mustang catback, which is bolted on to the back of the catalytic converters. The entire assembly is made up of the mufflers and the tailpipes, this is the final place that the vicious gases created by the engine come to. There are many products available aftermarket for performance upgrading of headers, exhaust and intake, the best source would be to click the links that you find in this article or resource box.

The Benefits of Car Auctions Online

2008-04-06T00:53:00.001-07:00

How would you like the feeling of purchasing the vehicle you have always dreamed about in the privacy of your own home? No more getting up and driving around from lot to lot trying to find the vehicle you've always wanted or needed. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Well now with car auctions online websites that dream is now a reality. With these websites constantly popping up, you now have many different options and a higher chance of finding that vehicle you have always dreamed about.

These new car auctions website can be a blessing for many people. No more getting up and spending a day driving around from lot to lot trying to find a vehicle in your price range, or maybe you don't have away to get around but you are interested in purchasing a new vehicle, well guess what, either way you are totally in luck. There are different types of these websites available, you may find personal auction websites or you may find websites that offer vehicles that may have been bank repos, seized vehicles, police auctions or even government auctions. Generally in the government auction websites you will find a wide variety of vehicles that are up for sale at a great price. The reason the prices sound too good to be true is due to the fact that they just want to sell them so they do not have to keep them in storage which costs a lot of money.

Many of these car auctions online may operate differently. You may come across a website that has it's vehicles in different categories, letting you know if the vehicle is in great condition, or it may need some minor work or if the vehicle is being sold as is. You may come across a website that has a video feed that will allow you to watch the auctioneer. Some websites may let you bid on a vehicle where some may just let you purchase it right out from the seller.

One of the best feelings in the world is purchasing that vehicle of your dreams at an amazing price. Well now's your chance to be able to do that, with car auctions websites popping up everywhere. Don't become frustrated if you do not find a vehicle right away, these websites are always updating their vehicle listings.

RUN YOUR CAR ON WATER AND GAS AND SAVE 40% PLUS ON FUEL COST

2008-04-06T00:52:00.000-07:00

Convert Your Car TODAY to Run on Water and gas to save over 40% on fuel costs!

Would you like to find out how to run your vehicle on water and stop wasting money on gas?

This do-it-yourself conversion guide is very affordable (under $150) and EASY with step-by-step instructions.

The conversion WILL NOT void your warranty because it is 100% reversible! It's easy to install and remove.

Create your own water hybrid for under $150!

Did you know that you can convert your car to a water-burning car? You can run your car on water, supplemental to gasoline, to increase your car's fuel efficiency and reduce your fuel costs significantly.

Works on gas or diesel powered cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs. (Not tested on hybrids)

Your car will become at least 40% more fuel efficient and produce cleaner emissions.

Convert your car for the lowest price. Similar conversion kits cost up to $600 and up!

Works with plain tap water. No need for distilled water or special water additives!

We've simplified the process. The steps are easy, and the materials are affordable.

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Our easy conversion guide will show you how to use electricity from your car's battery to separate water into a gas called HHO (2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen). HHO, also called Brown's Gas or Hydroxy, burns smoothly and provides significant energy - while the end product is just H2O! HHO provides the atomic power of Hydrogen, while maintaining the stability of water.

Can Water Really Power a Car?

The answer is YES, ABSOLUTELY! We have made the technology to build a water-burning hybrid easy and affordable.

Water can be used to fuel a car when used as a supplement to gasoline. In fact, very little water is needed! only one quart of water provides over 1800 gallons of HHO gas which can literally last for months and significantly increase your vehicle's fuel efficiently, improve emissions quality, and save you money.

Thousands of successful water-conversions around the world are proof that this technology works and will soon catch on! Some industry insiders say its just a matter of time before this water-burning technology will be standard in new automobiles. One expert estimates most cars will be using this technology by 2012, but until the auto manufacturers catch up, you can use this technology for yourself today at a very reasonable set-up cost.

How Much Does it Cost?

The conversion guide is on sale today (check bottom of page for price) and all of the raw materials cost less than $60 and are easy to find at your local hardware and auto-parts stores. Once you get the conversion set-up, you can even start converting your friends' and family's cars and help them spend less money on gas.

The guide includes over 90 pages of detailed instructions that are very easy to follow and offer the best value and performance available anywhere.

In fact, we received a testimonial from a customer in Estes Park, Colorado who is advertising his conversion services on Craigslist after learning how to do the conversion using this easy-to-follow eBook. (John - you can consider this free advertising!)

We encourage you to help other people set-up their own conversions with our information! After all, The more cars we can get running on less fuel, the better for our environment.

How Safe is it?

The process is very safe because the combustible gas is extracted as needed and burned steadily from the water, unlike larger volumes of pure hydrogen which are highly flammable.

WHY COMPRESS HYDROGEN IN DANGEROUS HIGH-PRESSURE TANKS WHEN IT IS ALREADY "COMPRESSED" IN PLAIN WATER - AND CAN BE EASILY AND SAFELY RELEASED??!

Our set-up produces hydrogen as your car needs it, rather than using storage tanks. Thousands of cars have been safely converted without any issues or incidents.

Best of all, this conversion process is completely reversible so it will not void your auto manufacturers warranty. It simply acts as an add-on to significantly increase your fuel efficiency.

Experts Agree: Water is Viable Fuel Technology

The Evolution of the Diesel Engine

2008-04-04T09:36:00.001-07:00

The talk about finding new alternative energy sources for our cars is not new. In fact, scientists and car engineers had begun finding ways to either use energy sources, or to optimize existing engine solutions back in the 1970's.

People saw that big engines were very inefficient and they started looking for new solutions. The answer to the large gasoline engines were rather small, turbo powered diesel engines.

Until then diesel engines have been used mainly on heavy-duty machinery and large trucks, but scientists began to install them on small cars for their fuel efficiency and cost savings.

Diesels are still considered by some people as noisy, unreliable and expensive to maintain, but things have evolved greatly since the early days of the diesel engine. General Motors was among the first companies to fit diesel engines to cars like Chevrolet Caprice and the Oldsmobile, but these engines were shaky and very unreliable. GM soon admitted they had been doing things wrong and re-fitted those cars with normal gasoline engines. It was a large image hit and that is why consumers are still very reluctant to buying a diesel-powered car today.

Diesel engines also cause a bit more pollutant than comparative gasoline engines and with the taxes on polluting cars growing every year, no body wants to pay more taxes for their car if they can buy a gasoline engine car and pay less from the start.

Car companies also have looked at how they can optimize power output of modern diesels and how these engines can be made greener and they have came out with modern solutions.

European carmakers have been putting diesel engines in their cars for many years now and in Europe more then half of the cars sold are diesel powered. Manufacturers like Volkswagen, Mercedes or BMW are selling their large limousines mostly with diesel engines, for their power efficiency and cost savings when it comes to mileage. However, not only large cars have been fitted with diesel engines in Europe, but also sports cars. Audi, for example, is producing a 500-horse power sports car fitted with a V12 diesel engine. In addition, they claim this engine to be more powerful, greener and more efficient than its gasoline counterpart does.

Car manufacturers, especially in Europe and Japan, have been fitting large SUVs and 4x4 with diesel engines mostly for decades now. Fitting a gasoline engine on a large 4x4 would mean that its mileage would be extremely bad and its taxes would overcome its owner.

However, modern diesel engines are very powerful and a lot more reliable than they have been 20 or 30 years ago. Car manufacturers all over the world offer the same warranty for its diesel-powered cars like they do on their gasoline cars and this proves that modern diesel engines have the same reliability as gasoline engines have.

In most countries, the cost of the diesel fuel is lower than the price for gasoline and this combined with the better mileage of diesel-powered cars means significant money savings.

American car manufacturers are looking into installing diesel engines in their cars and it is only a matter of time until you will be able to buy your favorite car with a diesel engine.

Car Storage at its best

2008-03-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

How many cars does your family own? Does each person that has a drivers license have his or her own vehicle? This is the case in many American families. So, there could be upwards of 2, 3, or more vehicles in one household. This does not include that extra special car that dad has in the garage that he is working on to restore. He has only been trying to restore that same car for 10 years with no noticeable improvement. If you have a home with a two-car garage, you know that not much more will fit in the garage but two cars. Or, you can put one car in the garage and use the other side for storage or hobbies.

These are all perfectly good reasons to need car storage. Car storage is something that people have needed for a long time, but more so lately. As the price of land gets higher, the buildings and structures that are built in the more populated areas are getting smaller. This does not leave room for much storage in homes, apartments, condos and townhouses, let alone your vehicles. Some people find that they need car storage because they live in a large metropolitan city that does not accommodate much parking. A high rise might allow its residents to park a vehicle in their private parking lot, but what if you have more than one vehicle. Car storage might be the answer for you. Many large cities that offer self storage will offer some sort of car storage for its customers. Some housing in larger cities offer no parking and street parking for your personal vehicle is out of the question. This is where car storage can come to the rescue again. Because the larger cities have public transportation, many residents do not own cars or only get them out for special occasions.

Car storage is popular right now in the states of New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and some parts of California. All of these states have a high population density and people are looking for solutions to their small space problems. Self storage companies typically have some type of car storage available. But that does not mean that all car storage is created equally. Car storage can be just a parking space designated for a specific customer or it can be more elaborate. For a self storage facility to offer car storage they must have the available space for the vehicles to park. Some self storage facilities will offer storage units that cars can be parked in. These self storage units tend to be on the larger size and will have a garage type door that will allow for the vehicle clearance. Parking a vehicle inside will cost you more than just parking it outside.

Sometimes you can find specialty car storage that involves a warehouse or large building that will house lots of vehicles. The floor of the building is like an indoor parking lot, with ample room and lanes to park and remove vehicles. Because this is the most expensive type of car storage it will typically be a climate controlled building. Many car enthusiasts insist on excellent security, climate control and ample access hours, and they are willing to pay top dollar for such services.

Car storage is out there if you find yourself needing more room in your garage or you live in a large city with no parking. Check with your local self storage about car storage. They will be able to give you all the details of what their car storage entails.

BMW Performance Center and the 2008 One Lap of America

2008-03-24T09:28:00.000-07:00

May 7, 2008, the Tire Rack, 2008 One Lap of America will be at BMW Performance Center and from 4:30pm till 7:30pm there will be nearly 100 vehicles racing on the track. Come out to BMW Performance Center and watch the One Lap of America, formally known as the Cannonball Run.

There are the common racing events like NASCAR, F1 and WRC but one of the more notoriously famous races the Cannonball Run is something most never witness. That is now changing as the Cannonball Run has transformed into the One Lap of America and now does all its racing on official race tracks around the United States. While there is still nearly 4,000 miles of driving that happens between tracks the drivers are given enough time to get from track to track with the average speed of 51.8mph, but doesnâ€™t leave much room for gas stops and any sightseeing along the way.

The 2008 One Lap of America will mark the 25th anniversary of this event and on May 7, 2008 the One Lap of America will be at BMW Performance Center. If you are nearby BMW Performance Center this is the perfect chance to come out and watch nearly 100 cars race the track and meet some of the amazing participants. One of the vehicles that will be at the track is the 2008 smart fortwo project car named forfiveone. The smart team has a website http://www.451s.com/oloa where you can find out more about this 2008 smart car. Stephen Noton the driver of the smart said â€œwhen people ask why enter a smart I tell them we are not out to win, we are out to show that the smart is not only an economical car to drive it also has some performance and styleâ€.

BMW Performance Center will start its One Lap of America event at 4:30pm on May X7, 2008 and generally the gates open 30 minutes before the start of the event. BMW Performance Center is located at N Hwy 101, Greer, SC 29651 and their official website is http://www.relearntodrive.com/. Some more information is found here http://www.451s.com/May7BMWPerformanceCenter and http://www.onelapofamerica.com. The event at BMW Performance Center will end at 7:30pm, come early as the faster vehicles run first as to give them enough time to reach the next track event which is at Virginia International Raceway.

How To Tune Your BMW On A Budget

2008-03-13T15:37:00.000-07:00

For many bmw enthusiasts, once they buy a car, that is just the start of an extensive and sometimes costly project of modifying to get increased BMW performance. There are many hundreds of various decisions on how to go about this process. Where does one begin, what can be completed by the average home mechanic and what requires professional help? Also, where can you source the best parts at the best price? Sourcing parts is the area of modifying that you have considerable control over and where you can save the most time and expense, if you do your homework.

Now, there is more than one opinion on this subject. For BMWs, significant design and engineering was completed by BMW to make a premium car that is arguably a better overall performer than many of its peers. It is far too easy to whind up going backwards in your objective for speed by sourcing flawed parts, installing them incorrectly or not matching up the performance characteristics of various systems on your car. Also, BMW is selling a line of its own aftermarket parts so you can be assured of the quality and engineering in these parts as the rest of your car. The drawback is these parts are often more costly than their competition.

So, how can you find quality parts for your car? I am a huge fan of doing research online using a variety of tools. There are many good forums consisting of many thousands of BMW owners. With very little effort you can often find a member with your same BMW who has already done similar modifications to their BMW and can often provide some valuable insight into what works, who has the most competitive price, install instructions and more. Some of my favorites are E90Fanatics, e46fanatics and roadfly.org. Time spent here will save you signifiacnt money and frustration so you don't have to repeat the mistakes of others.

Another great source that is often overlooked is eBay. The choices is often overwhelming and there are a bunch of cheaply made, knock-off parts that you should try to stay away from. However, if you buy from a known supplier with great feedback and do your homework on the part you require and at what price, you can really maximize your modifying budget. You can source new parts, OEM BMW parts and used BMW parts quickly and easily to make your modding project a winner.

Customizing Your Mustang With Wheels

2008-03-13T15:35:00.000-07:00

Ford Mustang owners are always trying to customize their car. The Mustang is a favorite amongst sports car owners. When you are a kid you either became a Mustang or Camaro person. Those were the two that could be compared on the same page together. The Mustang has been around for over 40 years now and has seen a lot of changes along the way. Engines have became larger, than smaller, and back to big again. The style has gone from boxy to round and now to a sleeker look.

With so many Mustangs on the road it is not uncommon to see two or even three of the same color, engine size, amongst other characteristics driving down the road at the same time. People that buy these cars buy them to be noticed. You do not think about things like miles per gallon or driving in the winter when you buy it. You want attention. How are you going to be noticed when your Mustang looks like every other Mustang on the road? Ford only makes so many. If you wanted to blend in like everybody else you would have bought a Focus.

You have two options at this point. Dump a bunch of money into the engine to make it tear up the streets or invest into some new custom mustang wheels. Everybody's budget is different but regardless of it you should look into customizing your wheels. It does not matter if you own a six cylinder or a GT. This change will make any car person turn their heads and think about what those wheels would look like on their car.

The best bet for an all around great wheel would to be and find a rim in the seventeen or eightteen inch size. You will get more bang for your buck with one of these wheels. They are by no means small wheels and with the right custom wheel it will make your Mustang stand out but not lose its stock performance. Going into bigger heavier wheels will weigh down the car making it slower. If performance is not your thing than you might as well put a set of twenty inch wheels on it. When you do that be expecting to buy parts for your suspension as the stock assembly just can't take that type of beating.

Chrome Mustang wheels are common and look nice. If you really want to get people thinking you should invest into a set of black Mustang wheels for two reasons. They look awesome and they don't need all the polishing and care that a chrome wheel needs. With summer right around the corner and with television bringing back the show Knight Rider with a Mustang as the car you will want to get your black mustang wheels before everybody else.

Keep Your Car Stable with the Honda Axle Assembly

2008-03-04T10:19:00.000-08:00

Not all Honda motorists know the ins and outs of their cars. Many of them rely on their mechanics to get all the needed replacements done. One component that they can replace by themselves is the Honda axle assembly. Usually prone to wear and tear, this is where the Constant Velocity or CV joint can be found. Front-wheel drive vehicles and some rear-wheel drive automobiles are equipped with an axle assembly. It is used to shift the power from the transmission to the wheels.

Replacing the Honda axle assembly, rather than the CV joint alone is more practical and more cost-efficient. It also saves motorists the time and labor. Todayâ€™s Honda axle assembly is already complete. Unlike before, it comes with the CV joints and boots installed. You will no longer have to buy separate CV components. The boots are vital for the entire assembly to operate. The axle assembly and the CV boots usually get damaged by road debris and other contaminants. This is most likely to happen with off road vehicles that are usually exposed to various damaging road elements like mud. Mud can build up in the undercarriage of the vehicle and the debris can get inside the seals, letting oil seep though the CV joints. Honda axle assemblies need proper care so that such problems are avoided.

A car performs poorly when its axle assembly fails. Opting for a replacement is what professionals generally advise, but you must get it from a trusted source. Our site offers quality axle assemblies that cater to your need and budget. Our parts are exclusively made for Honda vehicles. That means all Honda specifications are fully covered. Our site also features an easy to navigate catalogue that offers variety and reasonable prices. We only have room for quality and economical Honda parts. Enjoy our free shipping feature and the prompt delivery of those Honda replacement parts.

Luxury and Speed - Ford Wheels Have Them

2008-03-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

Wheels contributed greatly in many areas primarily in transportation. The use of wheels increases speed that would make transportation less hectic. Traveling is not an effortless task especially when going to distant or even extremely far destinations. Wheels do not simply serve in transporting you to places you want, these can also add to the appearance of vehicles.

The function and drivability of cars are purely affected by wheels from the time it is installed. Hence, wheels require the accurate dimensions and materials to provide safer travel. To every vehicle, the wheels play an important critical role, from the materials, style, function, durability, to maximum performance. The Ford wheels were intended to be engineered and carefully made by skilled people through Ford's automotive technology. These are examined thoroughly for a more satisfying outcome and are made to suit every Ford model that comes in quality with a wide range of styles available. The wheels are one of the parts that should be inspected carefully to provide a great ride for you. Ford attained a good remark in the automotive industry from producing such vehicles that signifies a sense of power on roads.

Certainly, General Motors Corporation is more known today for their powerful and trendy personal vehicles like the GMC Sierra, GMC Envoy, GMC Safari, amongst others. All of these can be an urban road warrior in a minute then rapidly transfer into a wildlife explorer. Powerful engines dwell under their hoods, making them very competent for all the tough and complex paths one may venture to. Space is huge even its aesthetics particulars are defined. A sense of sporty force is produced making a GMC truck transcends power and versatility.

Wheels act as force on a vehicle. However, there are many things that can cause damage to the wheels, especially when driving on road debris and curbs. Ford wheels are prepared of the highest quality materials and come with a full warranty from the manufacturer. When installing new wheels, it is a must to have the tires professionally mounted and fixed equally so as to ensure that the tires will hold in an even way. Mounting a tire can be a tough process, since the bead that closes the air into the tire must be seated accurately. A large volume of air must be put into the tire to inflate it quickly and the tire must be inflated to its maximum rating very quickly, or else the bead will come loose. Balancing the wheels requires expensive tools, and cannot be done at home. Care must be taken not to over-tighten the lug nuts when bolting the wheels on to the vehicle, because it may cause damage to the wheels. Additional wheel travel and speed produces heat in the shocks. Heat causes the shocks to withdraw and the vehicle happens to bounce and difficult to control. To distribute the load and drive away the heat, duals, triples, and more being are used.

Wheels carry the most important function and Ford wheel works simultaneously to get the vehicle to places. It is certain that every Ford model holds wheels in its specifications.

Ford Auto Parts: Keeping the Vision of Quality and Technology

2008-03-04T10:17:00.001-08:00

The Ford Motor Company began as a dream of one man to bridge people with advanced transport technology. It was an ambitious dream, but one that answered the needs of a society on the brink of high-gear industrialization.

It didn't come easy, however, as the company's first series of automobiles endured bouts of indifference from the market. Not losing faith, the company relentlessly continued on engineering various motor cars, until one unit, the Ford Model T, finally captured the full interest and esteem of the public. Fast track to 19 years and 15 million Model Ts later, and the Ford Motor Company has already catapulted itself into a giant enterprise in the automotive industry. And at present, after more than a hundred years of continuous hard work and pure determination in the industry, the visions of one Henry Ford are still paying off as his founding company has now become one of the most successful brands in the world.

To date, Ford Motor Company has now evolved into a family of superior automobile brands, which comprises of: Ford, Jaguar, Mazda, Mercury, Lincoln, Land Rover, and Volvo. Nevertheless, Ford has not lose sight of the vision to create top-quality and state-of-the-art vehicles. And relative to these are the corresponding top-quality and state-of-the-art components that function simultaneously. These Ford auto parts are uniquely engineered especially for Ford models to complement performance and sophisticated style that the brand is famous for. Such parts can be categorized as performance devices, exterior parts, and the interior line. Ford performance parts would include a multi-point injection fuel system, updated front and rear suspension systems that yield smoother and quieter rides, heavy-duty alternator and battery, quality four disk brakes with the equivalent ventilated discs, as well as the engine system in which case Ford is known to use powerful V6 or V8 engine concoctions. On the other hand, Ford interior and exterior parts may consist of but not limited to: chrome-finished bumpers, driver and passenger airbags, customized hubcaps, sturdy cargo liners, high-tech audio system, and power windows and locks.

As it is, all possible Ford Auto parts have been made available in the market. Said parts may be sold and provided in general terms or in a more specialized method that is relative to the Ford model, such as Ford F250 parts, Ford Focus parts, among others. The easy accessibility of these Ford Auto parts is to ensure the lifelong commitment and service that Ford provides its consumers.

2009 Nissan Murano: Safety Incarnate

2008-02-28T09:13:00.000-08:00

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducts tests on new vehicles so as to be able to find out which among the lot come with the best safety features which could really protect passengers. Results of crash tests would be announced by the IIHS so that consumers would be guided on their purchase of vehicles.

As per the recent tests done by the IIHS, the 2009 Nissan Murano took the top spot among nine other midsized SUVs with four doors. And with that performance, it was awarded the Top Safety Pick award. The vehicles had to go through front tests, side tests, and rear tests and they were aptly graded.

The worst 2008 models did show just what they could not do. For side tests, three 2008 models reflected how poor they could get during side crashes. The three were comprised of the Jeep Liberty, the Kia Sorento, and the four-door Jeep Wrangler. Among the three, the lowest grades went to the Kia Sorento.

They were not exceptional but good ratings are good ratings, especially if you have poor performers with you. For side tests and front crashes, the IIHS was able to find out that good ratings were what the Mazda CX7 and the Mazda CX9 deserved. The Mitsubishi Endeavor also earned good ratings. These three vehicles may have joined the 2009 Nissan Murano in the spotlight however they had low ratings during rear tests. The three were unable to protect passengers well against neck injury which often happens during crashes from the rear. For that, the Mazda CX7 and CX9 only earned marginal ratings while the Mitsubishi Endeavor took home a poor rating.

Joe Nolan is the IIHS' senior vice president on the results he disclosed, "Combined with test results released last year, consumers now have 9 midsize, moderately priced SUV models that earn our Top Safety Pick designation. More good news is that manufacturers have been moving quickly to add safety features like stability control and side airbags to their SUV models. All of the SUVs in this group have ESC, and all but the Wrangler have standard side airbags. Increasingly, consumers are getting the latest safety equipment without having to hunt through a list of options."

What took the 2009 Nissan Murano to the top? Well, Nissan sure did spruce up the vehicle so that it does not only look and perform well but so much so that it also protects well. This new version comes with the electronic stability control as a standard feature. It can be upgraded with nifty products cargo-logic series cargo liner to protect the floor but what is important are the seat belts and the air bags which protect the passengers best.

Jaguar, Land Rover Sold

2008-02-28T09:12:00.000-08:00

Some months back, the automotive industry has been bombarded with various pieces of news as per the fate of the Ford Motor Company's Jaguar and Land Rover brands. These two are actually luxury brands that are part of Ford's Premium Automotive Group (PAG).

What has been the seed as per the rumors regarding the fate of the two brands, it actually started with how the brands' vehicles are doing in the market. For quite some time, Jaguar and Land Rover have been performing poorly in the market so much so that the Ford Motor Company has not been gaining much profit from the two brands. It is also not a secret that Ford has been under much financial stress lately because of declining profit and one of their solutions so as to help better their financial situation was to sell their two luxury brands.

When Jaguar and Land Rover was put up for sale, there were quite a number of parties and individuals who were interested in owning the two brands. However, Ford wanted to make sure that they were getting the best deal on the two brands. And what the Dearborn-based car maker did was to set up a system where interested purchasers could put in their bids for the luxury brands. This process took quite some time and experts were looking at the situation as a tactic from Ford so that they could properly study where they would be getting the best deal for Jaguar and Land Rover.

It seems like the end of the bidding for Jaguar and Land Rover has finally come to an end for a couple of days back, a newsletter from the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) carried news that the Ford Motor Company has finally chosen the right party who would purchase the two brands from them. Tata Motors from India would be the new owner of the vehicle and that the purchase of the brands is set to be announced this March 5th of 6th.

The purchase has already been finalized and Tata has already been talking with trade union leaders since last week. The national officer for one of the largest unions in the UK auto industry, Roger Maddison, has announced, "Everything seems fine as far as we are concerned; it's just the lawyers working on it now."

One of the major outcomes of these talks include the fact that Tata would still be sourcing the brands' engines, NGK laser platinum spark plugs, stampings, and other auto systems from Ford.

Jeep Liberties - top of my list for gas guzzlers

2008-02-28T09:11:00.000-08:00

Well, now that I sold my 06 Jeep Liberty Limited at auction, I'll be happy to tell you that when I drove it to St. Louis from Springfield Missouri it just about bankrupted me in gas fees. You would think a small SUV like that would not be any big deal on gas, but if you combine automatic, 4 wheel drive, V6 and heater blowing it adds up quick. I've taken that trip a hundred times (literally) and I never gave gas prices a second thought. I have the receipts but I must have spent $60 there and back.

I guess it was the fact that it was such a small vehicle that really set me off about it. I could understand if I was driving a Yukon or Navigator, you would at least expect it then. But what a surprise this was.

While I'm on the subject of Liberties, have you ever driven a 5 speed liberty? It kind of reminds me of driving a 3 wheeler for the first time. It has a very strange feel to it, just not natural. I'm mentioning this because a friend of mine just bought one to resell. It turned out to be a 5 speed with 2 wheel drive. I'll have to ask him about the gas mileage on it...

We did some work on it for him when he got it at the auto auction. So, I drove it to my shop and in the middle of the drive I had to call and warn him of the vehicles strange feel on the road. He said I was imagining things. He was at the sale the next week trying to dump the thing. "Nobody is ever gonna buy this heap after they drive it!" he says.

Well, I don't like slamming other peoples products, but in this case they are a frustrating little truck. Jeep has made some great ones over the years, but this one has missed its mark.

But, as I always say, "I couldn't have built it any better."

Unrealized value in Flipping Project Cars

2008-02-28T09:06:00.000-08:00

A common misunderstanding about car pricing gives speculators the upper hand in realizing real value for their money. In analyzing the true nature of car pricing, you can see where the real benefits are won and lost.

New cars are priced based on a hard cost platform that varies slightly depending on the price of steel, plastics, glass, labor and the many other components that make up an automobile. This gives the new vehicles a fairly predictable price point.

Used cars have a more variable pricing structure depending on the owners situation; a leasing or lending institution that needs to liquidate to cover a loan gone bad or a matured lease, a rental company dumping vehicles that have reached a mileage or year plateau, auto dealers covering overheads and sales commissions or an individual that is looking to replace their current vehicle. Depending on their needs, they will be selling the vehicle at or around a reasonably small price range, banks and other lending institutions at the low end of the price spectrum and dealers struggling to get top dollar. Even though there is a range of value, it is still a reasonably tight and predictable market.

Then we have project vehicles, classic cars from the early 1900s to the previously new car that gets into an accident pulling out of the new car store lot. There are a million things that can happen to a vehicle in its lifetime to make it end up a project car; fires, floods, accidents, shootouts, bad transmissions, engines blown, and even a failed customizing attempt. It could have just been a very good car that has been around forever and wound up in a field or in a barn somewhere. When it comes to putting a real hard fast value on a project vehicle it gets a little cloudy. Some owners will have a low perception of its value for whatever reason, other owners will overprice the same car or truck for different reasons. Some buyers will think that a vehicle is worth nothing while another gives it more credit.

The wonderful thing about project cars is that there is a wide range of cost perception between buyers and sellers. This volatility gives speculators great opportunities in some instances and sellers great opportunities in others. I have put this concept to work for many years myself and it has paid great dividends.

Honda RA107: Off with the "Elephant Ears"

2008-02-28T09:04:00.000-08:00

In Barcelona, Spain last week Honda F1 team has tested its new aerodynamic design which was in the form of "elephant ears".

The Honda RA107 which was driven by Christian Klien with its protruding elephant ears on its front nose was following the heels on MacLaren's nose-straddling front wing. Unfortunately it seems like the elephant ears are not really meant for racing, the Honda F1 team has set the slowest time of the day. The team has finally decided not to push through with their new aerodynamic design since it has done nothing to enhance the performance of their car.

According to Jacky Eeckelaert, engineering director, "The main purpose of our test programme this week was to evaluate different aerodynamic configurations which have been developed in order to improve the braking stability of the car. The braking is definitely better now and the lap times have improved and become more consistent, but there is still a long way to go to bring the team back into contention."

Honda, second largest auto seller in Japan and maker of high quality accord body kit, has been working really hard to correct the problems of the new car since the start of the season especially in terms of the car's handling performance.

According to some reports the team is currently working round the clock to develop a new car which would be launch hopefully next month in time for the Canadian Grand Prix.

Although the test didn't go well for the Honda team it proceeded remarkably for some teams like for instance David Coulthard and Red Bull Racing has been able to grab some attention by posting a new track record with a time of 1:21.066. The quick lap happens during the qualifying simulation wherein the RB3 was running on a minimal amount of fuel just before it hit the circuit.

Pedro de la Rosa of the McLaren's was 2-10ths back as he tries to test the new front wing of the team's car which would make its debut at the Spanish Grand Prix in two weeks time. Felipe Massa of the Ferrari team was able to finish with the third fastest time despite a mechanical failure that has interrupted his drive in the morning. And as expected of Ferraris they have finished the week recording the fastest time, three out of the four testing days.

Giancarlo Fisichella, the driver for Renault was the fourth quickest with Robert Kubica completing the top five. The driver for Toyota, Ralf Schumacher finishes as the sixth fastest.

About Honda Honda Motor Co., Ltd. or Honda for short is a Japanese engineering and engine manufacturer corporation. It is renowned for its automobiles and motorcycles. It has also surpassed Nissan as the second largest distributor of autos in Japan.

Honda also manufactures other products that include trucks, robots, scooters, jet engines, and jets, ATV, electric generators, water craft, lawn and garden equipment, marine engines, as well as aeronautical and other various mobile technologies. The high-end line of cars of Honda is sold under the Acura brand for China and North America. And just recently the company has ventured into the domain of mountain bikes and they have produced the first-of-its-kind bike that makes use of an internal gear changing system in the Honda RN-01 G-cross.

In addition, Honda is also the world's largest producer of engines, building more than 14 million internal combustion engines each year. It was in the year 2004 when Honda started producing diesel motors that were very silent and does not required the addition of particulate filter to pass the emission standards.

Honda has its base in Tokyo. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange and exchanges in Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya, Kyoto, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Fukuoka. Honda has subsidiaries in California and Canada plus it also forms a number of joint ventures around the world which include Honda Siel Cars India Ltd., Dongfeng Honda Automobile Company in China, Hero Honda Motorcycles India Ltd., and Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan.

Five Fairy Tales Of Automobile Bumpers

2008-02-23T21:26:00.000-08:00

Bumpers have been a long standing battle between automakers and auto insurers with consumers stuck in the middle. Here's why...

FAIRY TALE #1 All Automobiles Manufactured In The United States Have 5 MPH Bumpers.
FACT: In 1982, the federal government bowed to pressure from automakers and rolled back impact test requirements from 5 to 2.5 mph for 1983 and later model cars. The 2.5 mph standard also allows unlimited damage to the bumper and attachments - and most of today's flimsy bumpers cost considerably more than the old 5 mph bumpers to fix.
FAIRY TALE #2 Todays 2½ MPH Bumper Standards Apply To All Vehicles Manufactured In The US.

FACT: Federal bumper requirements apply only to passenger cars. There are no federal standards for Minivans, Pickup Trucks, or SUVs.

FAIRY TALE #3 Bumpers Don't Need To Be More Effective.

FACT: Consumers want stronger bumpers and they want them on all vehicle types. In a 1998 Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS) survey, 77% of respondents said the government should require car bumpers to withstand a 5 mph impact with no damage. Eighty-eight percent said federal bumper standards should apply to all passenger vehicle types, not just cars.
FAIRY TALE #4 New Bumpers Are Better Than Old Ones.

Generally no. Bumpers used to be stronger. Example: "The F-150 is all new, but its bumpers are just as flimsy as before and even a little worse," says Adrian Lund of IIHS. "The highest damage total was in the rear-into-pole test. The whole bumper was pushed downward, and the tailgate was crushed. In addition, the left and right ends of the bumper were driven into the rear fenders." But it's not just Ford.

FAIRY TALE #5 All Bumpers Are The Same.

No. Bumpers vary a lot in terms of both components and performance. In fact, some vehicles don't even have bumpers. According to Adrian Lund of the IIHS; when one Toyota RAV4 was crashed into another Toyota RAV4 at 10 mph, "it didn't engage the rear bumper because this SUV doesn't have a rear bumper. Instead, the striking RAV4 hit the spare tire mounted on the tailgate," Lund says. "This spare tire was the 'anti-bumper.' It didn't absorb any energy. It didn't prevent any damage. In fact, it caused most of the damage to both vehicles.
Why It Costs You Money...

Bumpers play a significant role in insurance costs because so many physical damage claims are for relatively small amounts of damage involving the front or rear of vehicles--damage that a well designed bumper could prevent. Half of all collision claims are $1,500 or less. Repair costs for these minor incidents are a major factor in overall collision insurance costs.
So, How Can Consumers Tell If A Vehicle Has A Good Bumper?

Consumers cannot tell a good bumper from a bad one by looking at it. The federal government does not require automakers to disclose information about bumper performance.

Why Pickup Truck And SUV Bumpers Will Never Get Better

2008-02-23T21:23:00.000-08:00

Why Pickup Truck And SUV Bumpers Will Never Get Better

Bumpers have been a long standing battle between automakers and auto insurers with consumers stuck in the middle. Automakers want to make lighter, lower-cost (and higher-profit) vehicles with sleek cab-forward designs and short overhangs. Insurers want big, strong bumpers that stick out ahead of the rest of the body to provide maximum protection - and maximum profits for the insurance industry.

The smooth, flowing lines of most new cars and trucks conceal bumpers so well consumers rarely give them a second thought. But back into a pole in a K-Mart parking lot on a busy weekend and bumper design suddenly becomes an important part of your life.

If you ram the pole in a Ford F150 going 5 mph (8 km/h), you're looking at $2,042 in damage and all the hassle that entails: dropping the truck off at the body shop, fighting with the insurance company, mooching rides to work for a week while they fix your truck. But it's not just Ford! Out Of All The Pickup Trucks Made Today, Not One Has An Energy Absorbing Rear Bumper That Will Withstand A 5 MPH Impact!

When it comes to bumpers, Andy Rooney probably said it best: "Bumpers don't protect anything except the income of automobile parts departments."

But, what is the purpose of bumpers?
According to the Federal Bumper Standard, the car bumper is designed to prevent or reduce physical damage to the front and rear ends of passenger motor vehicles in low-speed collisions. Automobile bumpers are not typically designed to be structural components that would significantly contribute to vehicle crashworthiness or occupant protection during front or rear collisions. It is not a safety feature intended to prevent or mitigate injury severity to occupants in the passenger cars. Bumpers are designed to protect the hood, trunk, grille, fuel, exhaust and cooling system as well as safety related equipment such as parking lights, headlamps & taillights in low speed collisions.

So why won't pickup truck and SUV bumpers ever get better? Because, THEY DON'T NEED TO! These vehicles fall under the category of trucks and consequently have NO Federal Bumper Standards. Only passenger cars are required to have 2.5 mph bumpers.

"Pickups may look tough, but they're clearly not tough at all when it comes to preventing damage in low speed crashes" says Adrian Lund of the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety. Today, the average 5 mph rear-into-pole accident for full size pickup trucks costs $1,618 to repair! (That's in 2004 prices - the last time the IIHS tested pickup truck bumpers)
How about SUVs? "SUVs may be advertised as rugged and manufacturers tell potential buyers they can drive these vehicles anywhere adventure leads' them... But consumers can expect big repair bills if they're unlucky enough to bump these so-called rugged vehicles into something at slow speeds" says IIHS President - Brian O'Neill

So how can bumpers be made better? "If you don't have enough overhang, no matter what you have, you're going to have problems," says Mike Ciccone, special projects coordinator at the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety. "You need overhang, energy-absorbing material and a strong enough bumper beam. Those are three main elements."

How do I know if my vehicle meets or exceeds the Federal bumper standard?
Manufacturers self-certify their products in order to meet the bumper standard, as well as all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Since this is a minimum performance standard, the manufacturer may or may not be providing a greater level of protection. The agency does not require manufacturers to report the actual performance capabilities of their bumper systems.

Although many manufacturers voluntarily include bumper performance information on the window stickers of new passenger cars sold in United States, only California and Hawaii have bumper performance disclosure laws that require manufacturers to be specific about its performance capabilities.

All About Motorcycle Classifications

2008-02-23T21:17:00.000-08:00

There are many types of motorcycles, with each class having distinct differences. Here are the basics of the different types of motorcycle classes.

Cruisers and Choppers

A cruiser is a type of motorcycle where the rider has a straighter position while sitting and the feet are always in a forward position on the bike, meaning they are resting up or in front of the rider. Where for example on a bicycle, for instance, your feet are below where you are sitting.

Cruisers are said to be more comfortable for riding long distances. Cruisers tend to be the most widely customized motorcycles and as such are sometimes referred to as "custom motorcycles". These custom cruisers, also called "choppers", which comes from a reference to the frame being chopped by having the front fork extended. The chopper was the type of motorcycle that Henry Fonda and Dennis Hopper rode in the 1960's movie Easy Rider. A cruiser or chopper is also the most popular class of motorcycle for the serious biker and you'll find a majority of bikers riding them at motorcycle conventions, expos, rallies and other events, as they give off the classic "cool" biker look. The leading maker of this type of bike is Harley Davidson.

Touring Bikes

Touring bikes are another major type of motorcycle. Touring bikes differ from cruisers and choppers in that they are geared towards riders who wish to travel frequently or have commutes. Typically, a touring bike has a large wind screen above the handlebar area. A touring bike will also typically have a larger fuel tank to allow for less frequent stops during travel. The seats and seating position are also optimized for long rides, with more overall comfort and better positioning. Some types of touring bikes may also have luggage and storage options including hard case saddlebags and storage on the rear end of the bike. Other types of touring bikes offer amenities that you'd find on cars, including heated seats, stereo systems, GPS and even air conditioning. Safety devices such as air bags have also been included in some touring bike models. Other types of touring bikes are optimized for off road travel, and include higher ground clearance and extra shielding for protection from off road hazards. A good example of this type of bike is the police bikes that were used on the TV show "Chips". Honda, BMW and Yamaha are some of the leading makers of touring bikes.

Sport Bikes

Sport bikes are much less geared towards comfort than to optimizing the overall performance of the bike. The speed and acceleration are foremost a priority for sport bike enthusiasts. To accommodate this, sport bikes typically offer features like wider tires, lightweight frames and technologically advanced braking, which all sit on a high performance engine. Sport bikes are also much more aerodynamically designed to lessen wind drag and maximize speed, so you'll see very sleek, smooth and often colorful designs. There are also different types of sport bikes, with small sport bikes offering engines from 100 cc to 150 cc, all the way up to what's known as hyper sport bikes, with engines ranging from 1000 cc all the way up to an astounding 1400 cc. Japanese makers lead the pack when it comes to sport bikes, with makers like Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha being at the forefront.

Toyota And General Motors Virtually Tied

2008-01-25T07:36:00.000-08:00

This year, Japanese automaker Toyota is expected to unseat General Motors as the world's largest automaker. The title of being the largest automaker is dependent on the number of vehicles produced annually by an automaker. Last year, both automakers reported their production goals and Toyota has the bigger goal.

Toyota is getting closer to overtake General Motors if sales last year are any indication. For 76 years, General Motors has been enjoying much success and has never been under considerable threat of being overtaken. But the Japanese automaker has proven to be a very worthy adversary.

The Auto Channel recently reported that last year, General Motors and Toyota are practically tied in sales. On Wednesday, General Motors announced that they have sold 9.37 million units of cars and light trucks all over the world. Toyota on the other hand also announced that they have also sold 9.37 million units of vehicles globally.

Reuters reported though that General Motors is still leading Toyota in terms of sale. The report cited a source saying that the Detroit automaker sold 9,369,524 units of vehicles lat year. On the other hand, the Japanese automaker known for their vehicles and auto parts as reliable as KYB shocks managed to sell about 9,366,000 vehicles.

The biggest factor in Toyota's rise to challenge General Motors is it increasing market share in the United States auto market. Being the largest auto market in the world, the United States proved to be the Waterloo of General Motors. While the Detroit automakers' sales in the other parts of the world increases, their market share in the United States continue to decrease.

From 1998, it was reported that General Motors' global market growth increased by 1.5 percent annually. Meanwhile, during that time, Toyota's growth rate is five times more. This means that the two automakers are now neck-to-neck. General Motors' chief sales analyst Mike DiGiovanni said: "We are very competitive here at GM and obviously we'd like to win."

"But I would say that what we are really focused on running our business for the long term profitably and growing. I think we are laying the foundation to grow where the growth is and laying the foundation to turn around in the U.S.," he added further.

The Detroit automaker is counting on expanding their production output in China and the Latin America to fight off the challenge by the Japanese automaker. According to their sales report, the automaker sold 5.5 million vehicles outside of the United States.

Mazda Unveils Touched Up MPV

2008-01-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

Japanese automaker Mazda launched the third generation of the MPV in February last year. During the unveiling of the said vehicle, Mazda highlighted that they have designed the vehicle around the principles of aggressiveness and luxury. Recently, The Auto Channel reported that the automaker has freshened up the look of the MPV to further make the MPV synonymous with being aggressive and luxurious at the same time.

On the outside, the automaker gave the front end of the MPV a bolder look, no doubt in adherence to the aggressive look that they want for the vehicle. They were able to do this by giving the MPV new chrome auto body parts. This was complemented by new upper and lower grilles. At the back, the rear combination lights was redesigned giving the MPV a new look from the back.

Apart from these changes, the MPV was also given a new set of 18-inch alloy wheels. Three colors are also available for the MPV which are Metropolitan Grey Mica, Lilac Silver Metallic, and Diamond Grey Metallic.

The changes made to the MPV were not only done for the exterior. Inside the MPV, Mazda maintained the sporty appearance that the previous model had but freshened the vehicle up by adding decorative trims. Chrome parts are also used on the interior of the vehicle. The addition of the said accent pieces increased the quality level of the MPV's cockpit.

When it comes to comfort, Mazda enhanced the MPV's with the 'Super Relax Seats' which are designed to give maximum comfort to its occupants. A 'nanoe ion' air purification system is also offered with the MPV. Other improvements made to the MPV were the addition of certain optional features like sand-beige leather seat covers, leather wrapped steering wheel in wood grain pattern, and heated front seats.

As for the performance of the new MPV, the vehicle is now equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission. The said gearbox is now standard equipment for MZR 2.3-liter naturally-aspirated engines with front-wheel drive configuration. This is expected to attract the attention of many customers looking for sporty vehicles.

The improvements made to the MPV shows that the automaker is dedicated to offering quality vehicles to their consumers. The MPV's new features are expected to be as reliable as Acura CL brake dust shields. The freshened MPV is available only in Japan and can cost between 2,500,000 and 3,600,000 yen. For that amount though, consumers will be getting a very good deal.

Top 10 Things You Need In Your Car In Case Of An Emergency

2008-01-24T08:45:00.000-08:00

Driving at any time of the year can be dangerous, but it is especially important to be careful driving in the winter. Winter driving can bring the hazards of snow, ice, freezing rain, sleet, blackouts, whiteouts, and much more. If your car breaks down at any other time of year, you've still got a good chance of being able to take care of it yourself. However, in the winter, the days are shorter, the weather is colder and it is not at all comfortable to break down in a snowstorm! There are also more ways to break down in the winter; not only can your car run out of gas, but it can also get stuck in the snow.

If you are starting to panic, just relax; there are some things you can do to prepare for car emergencies. Here the top ten items to keep in your car in case of an emergency:

Snow shovel - You never know when you'll get stuck in the snow, and you also never know if a good Samaritan will be around when you get stuck. Even in the summertime, cars can get stuck in the mud, and a shovel would still help in that situation.

Candle - Even though a candle may be a lot smaller than a car, it can still keep you and your car warm in the winter if you happen to break down or get stuck in a snow bank.

Blanket - If you ever break down in the winter, a blanket or sleeping bag is a very good thing to have!

Spare tire - Always a handy item to have when something happens to one of your car's tires.

Tools - It is important to carry the right kind of tools in your car to help you in case of an emergency. Tools such as a jack, ratchet, lighter.

Air Compressor - Many stores now sell mini compressors that are just for this purpose. A lot of perfectly good tires start to lose air after a while and an air compressor is a quick fix when you are stuck on the side of the road!

Flashlight - This one is pretty self explanatory. You never know when something will happen, and if you happen to break down after dark, a flashlight quickly turns into a lifesaver. Without a flashlight, all the tools in the world will not help you in the dark!

Food - This one may sound strange, but the truth is, people get hungry, and if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere, some granola bars and bottles of water are a big help!

Cell phone - Nowadays, car emergencies are not as bad as they used to be, because of cell phones. As long as you have good service in the area you happen to be in, you will be just fine.

First Aid Kit - This is perhaps the most important thing to carry in your car - especially if you have children. You never know what is going to happen, and even the slightest accident can cause some injuries to you and your loved ones that can be easily remedied by a well-stocked first aid kit.

Solvent Recovery System

2008-01-24T08:36:00.000-08:00

One of the most important considerations for any auto repair shop is the handling and treatment of toxic chemicals such as chemical solvents, paints, and coolants. It is vital under US Law that certain chemicals be properly treated and there are severe penalties that can be imposed by the EPA for failure to properly handle toxic materials. It is a requirement for any facility that handles solvents to properly deal with their disposal when no longer required, and the best way that this can be achieved is through the use of a solvent recovery system.

Recycling solvents is both an environmentally, and economically sensible measure to take. The prevention of any chemicals getting out into the wild is a responsibility that all right thinking members of society share, while the ability to drive down acquisition costs by recycling and reusing waster products makes a lot of sense to any business.

Quite simply, a solvent recovery system works by taking the chemicals that have been used, whether in cleaning, thinning paint, or any number of other purposes that they are required for in a workshop, and then removing the impurities. Most solvent recovery systems also act as a cleaner, combining the jobs of removing the solvent from any tools and other items, and then treating it in order to make it ready to be used once again.

Pretty much any item that you use in the workshop can be cleaned using a solvent recovery system. From auto parts through to HVLP spray paint guns, anything that needs solvents to clean can be popped into the machine, and then it will be handled properly from start to finish.

One of the most popular models currently available on the market is the sidewinder solvent recovery system. This tool, which is made by Nevada based Persyst Enterprises has been the staple of many auto shops since its first release. What has made it such a successful model is its reliability, coupled with its easy to use fully automated cleaning and recycling system.

The Sidewinder solvent recovery system can simply be loaded with your tools at the end of a job, then switched on and left. It will clean the tools, separate the solvents, and then when the process is complete, it will turn itself off. When you return to it, you will have your tools clean and ready to use, and all the cleaning solvent recycled and usable.

Although the initial outlay for a solvent recovery system may seem quite high, when it is offset against the cost of repeatedly purchasing expensive solvents, and then also paying for the waste products to be properly disposed of, not to mention the reduction in your environmental foot print caused by recycling waste rather than simply dumping it, the price soon seems like a bargain.

There are numerous different solvent recovery systems available. These range in price from around $1,000 right up to almost $5000. However, it is important not to simply go for the cheapest model and hope for the best, as different versions of the basic solvent recycler are required for different purposes.

While a basic model like the Spraymax UNRUG3000DA seems like a great purchase thanks to its price of around $1000, it is not suitable for larger workshop environments, and is really designed only for cleaning small items such as a pair of paint guns and their cups. Although it does do a great job on these, and has them ready to use again in less than a minute, making it the perfect tool for a small paint shop.

At the other end of the market you get a great deal more flexibility in the products that you buy, and larger solvent recyclers are able to handle much bigger jobs including being able to clean large mechanical parts quickly and efficiently. The SprayMax UNRURS900EP2 solvent recovery system features a 6 gallon cleaning well that will be able to handle the biggest parts in one go. It has a fully automated cleaning cycle, and a twin pump system that will allow you to have dirty used solvent go in through one, and recycled, clean, and ready to use solvent come out of the other end. It is also fully air tight in operation, meaning that there are no unpleasant fumes when it is working.

Thanks to the ever increasing environmental legislation from the EPA that is required to protect the natural world, it is ever more incumbent for any responsible business to take action to improve their own use of resources. The most important purchases that a business can make are the ones that will save it money in the long run, as these are the investments in the future that allow for further growth. solvent recovery systems are a tool that will pay for themselves a thousand times over, not just in the reduced operating costs that you get from reusing the same products again, but also by the knowledge that as a business, by using a solvent recovery system you are doing your bit to protect the world outside your workplace.

How Much Should You Pay For Your New Car

2008-01-22T08:06:00.000-08:00

When you go into a car dealership, you want to know all of the pricing and costs of the car that you are looking into buying, as mentioned earlier. Being prepared will save you tons...period. You should know the manufacturer's cost and the dealer's cost.

You need to calculate the cost that the dealer paid for the car and then make a reasonable offer. The idea is to get a good deal rather than getting taken to the cleaners. The only way to do it is preparation and being realistic.

You should also know that the dealer's price is not the invoice price from the factory. You should know that the dealer's cost is much lower than the factory's cost. Having said that, keep in mind that the dealer is not going to give away anything, but they might listen to something that gets them some cash. But always work from the dealers cost.

In order to make a fair offer to a dealership, you need to learn to read a factory's invoice. Here is what you can expect to find on the factory invoice.

- Base model of the car on it - All of the options packages - Destination charge - Holdback and dealer flooring help

Quick Tip: DO NOT confuse the invoice with the MRSP window sticker because they are not the same.

Contrary to popular belief, dealers don't have to tell you the invoice on any car. This often gives the dealer leverage over you.

They can offer you one dollar over the invoice. You should know that there are hidden factory incentives in the invoice price that lowers the cost of the car for the dealership. You're not getting any deal here.

If a dealership is very quick to show you the invoice, you should note that they are fully aware that they will be making good money on that car from you and they can settle at a lower price for the car.

Having this knowledge before you walk into a dealership can be your best negotiating strategy. See, they will tell you that you can afford to buy the car at MSRP hoping that you will not then wonder what the actual worth of that car is.

Knowing this information can let you make them the same offer and put you in the driver's seat. (OK, brutal pun)

If you offer a few dollars over the factory invoice (which is the actual worth of the car) then you can open your bid and let them know how much profit they can make off of your offer. Take some time and look through these cars buying web sites to get the entire factory invoice pricing of a car.

http://www.InvoiceDealers.com http://www.CarsDirect.com http://www.Car.com http://www.Autoweb.com

Dealers are always going to try and tell you that they paid more for the cars than they actually did so that they can make a higher profit off of the sale.

Salesmen will often try and make you feel guilty by telling you "I'm losing my shirt off of this deal." In truth, you are the one that is losing your shirt off of the deal, so don't buy into it.

To help you calculate what your offer should be to the dealership, you should get the factory invoice price (don't forget to include the options in this price), and add 5% to that amount. That will give you a good starting point for your offer the dealership.

When I mention the options, I mean the ones that you can't avoid. Some cars come equipped with a CD, sun roof etc. and these are fees that you can't avoid paying so be sure to account for these when setting your total factory invoice price.

You should also be sure to account for any buyer rebates as well when calculating your dealership offer. So in the end your offer should be calculated like this:

DEALER'S COST + 5% - ANY BUYER REBATES = YOUR OFFER

Calculating your offer to a dealership is as simple as that. Don't complicate it anymore and don't let the dealer complicate it either. When you are considering how much you can afford for a car, be sure that you don't get sucked into paying more than that.

If you are unwilling to pay more than your opening offer, let the salesman know that your offer stands firm and how they will profit from the offer.

In the end you will get what you want on your own terms. Below is a good example for you to follow, feel free to print this or write down the example and put it in your car buying folder.

You are hoping to buy a Toyota Camry. You do your research at DealersInvoice.com, and find that the invoice price is $19,922; MSRP is $22,385. The dealer may offer you the car for $22,000, and shows you the invoice.

You learned by researching that there is a $500 factory to dealer incentive; and a $447 holdback on the MSRP (2%).

Based on the above calculations, the dealer's real cost is $19,922 (invoice) - $500 (incentive) - $447 (holdback) = $18,957. You can see that this is lower than the factory invoice number.

Now, if you add the 5% for your offer to that price, the car price will be up to $20,379 due to the addition of $455 for the destination charge that is always present. Now if you compare the MSRP offer that the dealership had listed, you will see that based on the example above you just saved yourself $3428.

This may seem a little complicated but if your use a pre-designed spreadsheet from CarsDirect.com or AutoUSA.com, the program does all the calculation for you. A little preparation and a reasonable offer will go a long way to getting the car you want at a great price.

The All New And Improved Honda Civic Tour

2008-01-17T04:39:00.000-08:00

The Honda Civic was introduced in July 1972 as a two-door coupe, followed by a three-door hatchback version that September. The Civic evolved from having an 1170 cc engine (1973) to having engines with larger capacities and more creature comforts (air conditioning, power windows, etc.) through the 1980s, 1990s and into the 2000s. As the Civic's reputation for quality, clever engineering and steadfast reliability continued to grow, so did the little Honda's popularity, as sales figures that topped 200,000 annually attested.

Early models of the Civic were typically outfitted with a basic AM radio, rudimentary heater, foam cushioned plastic trim, two-speed wipers, and painted steel rims with a chromed wheel nut cap. The current Civic has become much more luxurious with satellite-linked navigation, a six-speed manual transmission, power locks and power windows available. The current Civic has become much more luxurious with satellite-linked navigation, a six-speed manual transmission, power locks and power windows available. A passenger-side airbag became standard on all Civics, and antilock brakes were now optional on the EX coupe, Si hatchback and LX sedan. In the United States of America, the Civic is the second-longest continuously-running nameplate from a Japanese manufacturer; only the Toyota Corolla, introduced in 1968, has been in production longer. Although Civics are not designed to be performance cars, they have been used for racing ever since their introduction.

A neatly chiseled exterior devoid of gimmickry, an intelligent interior design with supportive seats, large gauges and high-quality fit and finish made the 1984 Civic line attractive and an immediate success. In 1986 an Si version of the Civic hatchback was introduced, featuring a pop-up glass sunroof, body colored bumpers and sedan-style disk wheel covers. The seventh generation Civic arrived as a 2001 model and the Civic Si returned for 2002. The natural gas-powered Civic GX debuted in mid-2006 continues unchanged. The 2006 Civic received the "Best Buy" award from Quatro Rodas magazine, the most prestigious car magazine in the country.

For the past seven years, the Honda Civic Tour has presented some of today's hottest music while also creating awareness of today's most pressing environmental concerns. With the transverse engine placement of its 1169 cc engine and front-wheel drive, like the British Mini, the car provided good interior space despite overall small dimensions. For the past three years the Honda Civic Tour has worked to promote environmental consciousness by giving away customized Honda Civic Hybrids to lucky fans.

This year's Honda Civic Tour is full of cool surprises for our fans. Recently, to add even more excitement to its environmental message, the Honda Civic Tour crafted an "Eco-village" as a test in Buffalo, NY, where concertgoers received a crash course in how to be a friend to Mother Nature. According to the EPA's 2005 Fuel Economy Guide, the Civic hybrid car is the leading, fuel-efficient compact car. The price for a new Civic isn't much higher than the price for a used one, and the cars will last a long time, and hold their value in the mean time.

The rest of the Americas receive the North American-market Civic sedan and coupe in some countries

How to discover inexpensive teach hire

2008-01-10T10:33:00.000-08:00

A good quality way of adding together a smart finish to an extraordinary occasion that income a lot to you, why don't you rent a coach? There are limo hire Company that can give you a first-class excellence rate. If you can make contact with one of these teach hirers, you can get a good mix of style, class and financial system and the happiness of riding in your own special chauffeur-driven teach.

When you hire a coach, check that it offer you sure added extras such as protection and money-saving tips and tricks. You can select for a package whether you want this coaches to ferryboat you to a wedding ceremony or a prom or everywhere else special and important.
In truth, if you are a high school student, attendance prom nocturnal is perhaps the most important occasion for you. You know that everything must go off absolutely that evening--right from your choice of clothes to your appearance and last of all, your entrance at the venue. So, why not hire a coach for that event and position out in the swarm?

If this is what you desire, don't throw away any more time. Go properly ahead and book your proms teach now without any delay, right now, even if the place is far away from you. You need to do this for different reasons: First, if you book the teach well in advance, it shows just how organized you are and it booking the coach well before the prom show that you are prearranged and it also ensure that you get the right coach you want for your individual evening. Next, if you book your limo hire ahead of time, it means that you have taken the problem to find out all the possible information about the teach, including its model, inclusion, and detail of its accessories, size of TV and the wattage of its sound system. Perhaps you have also asked for photos of the teach from the inside and outside to show to your date for the evening.

Surely, if she sees these photos, she will be only too excited to go out with you, and this will increase your confidence when you approach her. And, you can impress her with your so-called class and style. She'll love your organizational skills, the fact that you did this for her and that you cared enough to make the evening memorable enough to the extent of limo hire a coach.
Now that she is satisfactorily impressed, perhaps you can also push your luck just a little forward by impress her parents too. They are sure to be bowled over by your level of concern for their daughter, your governmental skills, your foresight and your keen sense of responsibility. You might not know it now, but this is more than as much as necessary to secure you a few more dates with the same girl once the prom is over. So, what's holding you up? Go on and book a coach now and make a long-lasting impression on her. Good times are waiting for you.

Car Tips - How to Jump Start a Car

2008-01-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

If you can not start your car because the battery has gone flat, then you may be able get it going again by jump-starting it.
What you need:
A set of car jump leads, also referred to as booster cables.
A friends car that is working.

Using jump leads is pretty simple and safe if you follow these instructions:

STEPS
1. Position both cars close together so the jump leads will reach both batteries.

2. Then connect the car battery booster cables in this order ;

a. Connect (+) positive red cable to the (+) positive terminal on the dead battery.
b. Connect the other end of the (+) positive red cable to (+) positive terminal on the working car.
c. Connect (-) negative black cable to (-) negative terminal on the working car.
d. Connect the other end of the (-) negative cable to the (-) negative terminal on the dead battery.

3. You are now ready to start the working car's engine. Turn off all electrical equipment on the working car (heater, lights, radio, etc.) so that all the battery power is getting used to jump start the dead battery. Let the working car run for a minute or so before you try to start the dead one. Revving the engine in the working car will produce more current and help with jumping the dead battery.

4. Now try and start the dead battery engine by turning the ignition. If it sounds like it is going to
start but will not quite go, then rev the working car for a little longer before trying the dead batter
again.

5. When the dead battery has started and is running, remove the jump leads.
Do this in reverse order:

a. Disconnect (-) negative black cable from the terminal on dead battery.
b. Disconnect (-) negative black cable from the (-) negative terminal on the working car.
c. Disconnect (+) positive red cable from the (+) positive terminal on the working car.
d. Disconnect (+) positive red cable from the (+) positive terminal on the dead battery.

TIPS

You must let the car that had the flat (dead) battery run for quite a while. If you turn the ignition off quite soon after starting it then it may not start again because there will not be enough charge in the battery. It might be worth taking the car for a drive, or driving the car home and connecting the battery to a battery charger overnight.

Ensure that when you are connecting and removing the jump leads, they do not touch each other and do not come into contact with any moving parts on either engine. Most quality jump leads have the clamps coated with plastic so there is less chance of the metal parts touching parts of the car or engine. This is something to consider when buying your jump leads.

If the battery terminals on either car are dirty and corroded, then they will need to be cleaned up so that the clamps on the jump leads will get a good clean connection.

If the flat battery will not start the car after following this procedure, then the battery could be damaged and faulty inside. It is suggested that you try replacing the dead battery with a borrowed one before you spend money on a new one.
It is suggested that you try replacing the dead battery with a borrowed one before you spend money on a new one.

Ford Escape Keychains

2007-12-17T07:03:00.000-08:00

For those who are into outdoor activities such as camping, mountain climbing or fishing the ideal vehicle for you and your family is an SUV. Both city dwellers and outdoor enthusiasts will agree with the idea of choosing a Sports Utility Vehicle to be with during trips or light driving. One of the best choices for SUVs is the Ford Escape.

The Ford Escape is a compact SUV, meaning a down sized version of the other full sized SUVs that Ford has in their lineup. Ford Escape is one of the best selling SUVs in the market. Considering of course its manufacturer which is Ford, Ford Escape holds a name that is synonymous to durability and endurance in the SUV series. Ford Escape is a 4 door Sports Utility Vehicle with a front wheel and a four wheel drive suited for every type of terrain the vehicle has to undergo. A four speed automatic or a five speed manual transmission to enhance shifting performance is also one of the features of this renowned vehicle. The off road experience with this vehicle is one of a kind. With state of the art suspensions to absorb every bump the car has to pass through, this only means comfort to both the driver and the passenger. Ford Escape's performance and appearance shows an obvious balance between the two aspects that a car owner looks for which is a car's internal and external over all capacity. In 2004, a Ford Escape Hybrid was released in the market and it was classified as an electric vehicle which helped in fuel efficiency of about 75 percent. The 2005 version came out with higher engine performance and more safety features for the Ford Escape line up. This only shows the concern of the manufacturer towards the buyers of their products.

Additional accessories for Ford Escape owners are the beautifully crafted Ford Escape key chains. There are basically three unique designs for the Ford Escape key chains. One is designed as a tear drop, the other one is designed as a steering wheel and the third one is fashioned as a valet keychain. Each design is made to suit different tastes. The key chains are said to outlast material flaws for life. The keychain is the symbol of durability and quality, just like the experience that Ford Escape has to offer. The key chains are ideal gifts for Ford Escape owners or avid collectors of car key chains. These accessories are always available online, an option for engraving whatever it is you want to go with the ready made key chain is available with a minimal cost to complete the Ford Escape experience.

Ford Escape owners always take pride of the car that they are driving. Whether The Ford Escape runs through city roads or graveled pathways, off road obstacles or towing emergencies, the feel of the real deal behind the Ford Escape Steering wheel with a Ford Escape key chain will add to the everyday complete driving experience with the Ford Escape Sports Utility Vehicle.

Ford Expedition Keychains: Explore and Discover

2007-12-17T07:01:00.000-08:00

The outdoors is a great venue to bond with family and friends. As the statement goes, "the more the merrier", is applicable to camping or fishing trips. The best way to achieve this is to have the best SUV in the market today.

The Ford Expedition is a full size Sports Utility Vehicle. It offers nine passenger seats ideal for a medium sized families on the go or a carpool for outdoor trips. The vehicle was introduced in 1997 and a wide range of V8 engines. The sales of Ford Expedition have reached a high amount in the year 2004. This is due to the fact that consumers were impressed by the vehicle's family oriented interior design. The Ford Expedition as mentioned is a full size SUV, and any Ford SUV is up to the challenge when performance and durability is concerned. Ford Expedition's latest installment which was released in 2007 is said to look bigger than its predecessors but again, even if it looks enormous than the normal SUVs of its line up, the satisfaction with the 2007 Ford Expedition surpasses size and space, another evidence that the Ford Expedition is one of the best SUVs in the world to hit the terrain of critics in the market. The good thing about this series is that even if it is an SUV which is usually fashioned for rough driving also caters to the family's comfort and safety. Considering these aspects, Ford has made Expedition as the flagship of its SUV line up. The fun and comfort of driving a Ford Expedition all boils down to its top class performance and overall design. This vehicle is ideal for group trips or family holiday expeditions. It can outlast terrains and environment without risking your comfort and your passenger's safety.

With the Ford Expedition experience at hand, it would be better off to accessorize with the best that there is in the market. Specialty shops in your place may cater these specially designed key chains for you to purchase right there and then. If ever there is no dealer in your area there is always an option to go online and let the mouse do the shopping. With a click of a button your specially designed key chain will be delivered to you in no time. As you turn on your engines it would much be better to see an official Ford Expedition key chain dangling on your Ford Expedition car keys. To enhance to the maximum level of the Ford Expedition experience, acquiring a Ford Expedition key chain is the best way to achieve this.

The Ford Expedition key chains are fashionably made to please even the most hard to please person. The key chain comes in chrome, metal and leather finish designs. Its time to flash it around with your car keys to show that you have what it takes to explore and discover new heights of total driving experience in the comforts of your own Ford Expedition Sports Utility Vehicle. The available designs will answer the aesthetic demands of different types of drivers, and it's all a matter of choice.

Why Buy a New Vehicle - Biodiesel will Extend the Life of Your Truck , S.U.V. or Auto Engine Greatly

2007-12-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

Biodiesel can extend the life of your engine whether it is in your diesel equipped auto, truck, tractor, bus or highway rig.

Biodiesel can increase the longevity of your engine by up to 100 %. Costs are reduced â€" whether it be for maintenance or vehicle replacement. The engine last longer , breaks down less frequently resulting in longer vehicle life spans , greater reliability and overall less vehicle costs â€" again be it diesel equipped auto , car, truck ,tractor or highway rig.

How can this be so? The improved lubrication properties of biodiesel over regular vehicle diesel fuel results in increased parts longevity by up to 100 %. As a result commercial vehicles may be used for decades as well as travel millions of miles. Increased engine longevity translates into reduced maintenance costs, longer life spans and overall increases in reliability.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils, animal fats and cooking oils that are processed so that it can be added to diesel fuel as an additive. You cannot just mash up these fats and mix them with your diesel fuel. It is not as if any old Alvero character can make biodiesel in his garage at home. If the biodiesel is not prepared properly in a qualified industrial process â€" the contaminants of water, glycerols and other trace elements can well clog up your fuel injectors or even an expensive injection pump. Properly done biodiesel is a safe and beneficial fuel additive â€" now being routinely recommended and touted by major vehicle and diesel engine manufacturers.

Prepared properly in a commercial setting. and bought commercially you can be assured that not only will the biodiesel will be safe for your engine to use â€" but will even give the benefits of much greater engine life , enhanced reliability and lower maintenance costs overall.
Biodiesel is added to the regular diesel fuel. The percentage added depends on the climate the vehicles or autos will be used in. In warmer climates â€" such as tropical or Florida type climates â€" a percentage mixture of up to 20 % can be used. A 20 % biodiesel percentage in a truck driven up North to Edmonton Canada in the cold of winter will thicken up in the cold Alberta winter weather.

In such a cold winter temperature a biodiesel mixture ratio of 5 % would probably be used. To increase the blends of biodiesel used commercial vehicles such as trucks and busses can have fuel heaters installed â€" either inline fuel heaters of fuel tank heaters.

Why go to all this trouble for biodiesel ? First of all biodiesel is a renewable resource â€" crops such as soybean oil or canola can be used instead of scarcer and more expensive petroleum oil based products. Using biodiesel doe mean that we use less regular diesel, however the percentages of biodiesel use are relatively small. For example most diesel manufacturers recommend only 5 biodiesel (B5 mixed wit 95 % regular diesel. Of course again in colder climates such as Edmonton Alberta the percentages may be eve less. Biodiesel is also good for reducing emissions and pollution levels of sulphur, carbon monoxide as well as overall tailpipe smog pollutants.

However as with most good things in life there are disadvantages to the use of biodiesel as a vehicle fuel additive. First biodiesel has slightly less energy than regular diesel fuel, so that the larger the percentage content of the Biodisel in the fuel â€" the less power the engine will have to deliver. Fortunately at the low percentages of biodiesel being used as a fuel additive this is not a major issue.

In addition biodiesel spoils with time. If the biodiesel is too be stored for a long period of time â€" then additional additives must be added.

As a result of its benefits to reducing petroleum oil use and increasing engine life and reliability biodiesel has a bright and emerging future in our transportation and automotive industries.
The use of biodiesel â€" an alternative renewable fuel, is fast on its way up.

Chevrolet Parts: Guaranteed Quality

2007-11-16T01:47:00.001-08:00

The General Motors Corporation-produced Chevrolet boasts of a wide range of quality products from trucks to cars to sport utility vehicles for its customers worldwide. Since 1911, the Chevrolet brand has continuously evolved, as seen through its modern vehicles available at present. What made these even more appealing are the quality Chevrolet parts which can either be replacement parts or special add-ons that are easily accessible in the market.

The American automakerâ€™s largest brand, Chevrolet, takes pride in the automotive parts equipped in its famous line of vehicles. The famous Chevy is represented not only by compact cars, but also by light, medium, and heavy duty trucks. Thus it must be ensured that all the Chevrolet parts are more than superbly manufactured to meet and even exceed the demands of its vehicles.

One of the best-selling models of Chevrolet is the medium-sized pick-up truck called the â€œChevrolet Silverado.â€ Since this vehicle has to perform heavy tasks, which can include hauling or towing, it needs powerful Chevrolet parts. Thus all the Chevrolet trucks are geared to be tough. They usually have a 5.3-liter V8 engine that can guarantee up to 300 to 315 horsepower. Vehicles with beefed-up engines have to be matched with equally powerful suspension, transmission, and wheel systems to make it easier for the operator to control the vehicle. As Chevy trucksâ€™ spacious cabin makes it suitable for the use of big families, their exterior are equipped with Chevrolet parts like the headlights and taillights assemblies for better road visibility, thus ensuring the safety of the vehicle occupants. These principles do not only apply to trucks, but to other Chevy vehicles as well.

Aside from the basic Chevrolet parts, some models of this brand are also designed to exude an air of luxury. Special features like the backing sonar, power adjustable pedals, leather bucket seats, and satellite radio are just some of the innovations installed in Chevrolet vehicles. Customization of Chevrolet parts can also be done, but owners have to make sure that the quality of these parts is never compromised. The usability of the Chevrolet parts before the sleek and stylish look that they can provide should be prioritized.

The Fast And The Few-rious New Vauxhall Corsa

2007-11-16T01:46:00.000-08:00

To quote the little knitted bloke behind the wheel, C'MON!

You'll find yourself saying it quite a bit when it's you with the keys of Vauxhall's most powerful Corsa ever, the VXR, nestling in your pocket.

C'mon, let's go for a run will be the most oft-used, because it's a car you'll want to go out and play with. And perfect the art of driving of said machine, because it's got to be pointed out it's more of a four wheeled Cruise missile than your common or garden pocket rocket.

It's unique 'overboost' facility, which can increase the torque on demand to a staggering 266Nm (and it's only a 1.6 engine, remember) means it can overtake before the 'victim' realises you're planning the move. Floor the throttle and the engine management system gives you a five second burst of up to 15 per cent more torque. It's dubbed 'Popeye's spinach for your car' by Vauxhall, which says it all. The in-gear acceleration is simply remarkable and the challenge is to be able to get it all working smoothly because that power is instantly on the button. It can at times give it an unsettling and almost uncontrolled feel. I say almost, because it quickly gets back into step with what you're doing with it, and that only adds to the fun factor. And it's a sure thing that there will be a lot of disappointed people around once word gets fully around about how good the little VXR is.

Because of restrictions at the factory, only 2,500 Corsa VXRs a year will make it to the UK market - that's around half the amount that some rivals have available to buyers, so safe to assume that Corsa VXR should be much sought-after.

The performance flagship of a range that has attracted plenty of awards since it hit the streets is designed from the wheels up to serve up big chunks of verve and style. The door mirrors, front fog lamp surrounds and centrally located triangular exhaust pipe which exits through a smart underfloor diffuser are all VXR styling cues, and the chunky front and rear bumpers are also unique to the VXR. Then there's the mesh front grille, blue painted brake callipers and 17 inch alloys (18 inchers are an option), side skirts and a rear roof spoiler to set it off further.

The interior has shell backed Recaro sports seats and a race car style flat bottomed steering wheel - the sort of equipment one of our office colleagues, Nitin Luthra, will be acquainting himself with soon as he has reached the final 12 of the VXR Racing Driver of the Year contest. Weighing probably no more than half of yours truly, he would doubtless make the Corsa travel even quicker than Mr Lardy Bottom here. But I can tell you, from close experience, it's quick. The 192ps unit imbues it with a top speed of 140mph but more impressively with a 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds. Its 'normal' torque figure of 230Nm is on tap from 1950rpm to 5800rpm - punchy performance to say the least, but at all times displaying a commendable 'glued to the road' feel. A specially tuned ESP system is standard, but you can switch it off if you take the car to a track day (no Nitin, you can't have the keys for the afternoon) and play around with the responsive chassis that the Corsa was born with. The brakes are uprated, and highly efficient, and it has variably assisted power steering, altering the weight and feel of the wheel depending on how you're driving the car.

Inside they've attempted to make it as special as the exterior, with alloy pedals, and unique VXR detailing on dials, steering wheel and gear knob - and piano black facia trim, so smart in daylight, but highly annoying at night as it reflects every street light you pass under. The cabin is actually a great place to sit. The translucent dials are a refreshing change from the norm, and the overall feel is warm and welcoming. Decent size windows give the cabin an airy feel and the room in the rear is not as cramped as you might expect - a higher roofline effectively sees to that. Doors open far and wide, so there's never a problem getting in and out.

The latest addition to Vauxhall's growing performance family offers value for money.

BMW Parts: Driving Excellence Guaranteed

2007-11-14T18:30:00.001-08:00

BMW parts depict class. Aside from their reliability, which is a
given, the style of these parts make BMW distinguishable from all the
rest. Signifying revolutionary enhancements with fascinating designs,
the brand sets new standards for the rest in the field of manufacturing
luxury automobiles. This distinctive blend of creativity and
engineering excellence in BMW parts
produce the ultimate machine. The company constantly stands with an
imaginative interest in the improvement of performance and efficiency.
As it faces particular challenges with regard to the quality of certain
components, the company presents solutions that ensure BMW a spot in
many peopleâ€™s lives in the future.

The history of BMW or Bayerische Motoren Werke extends over almost
ninety years. Throughout this long history, laden with innovations and
pioneering works that contributed to BMW's growth, numerous legendary
automotive products that provided exceptional performance have been
built. The truth, however, is that this history is still very much
alive and still fueling new ideas for future technologies. BMW has been
committed to mark its history for the benefit of those many people who
were, who have been, who will be, and who are still currently involved
in pushing the company forward. The impressive documentation of the BMW
heritage, which includes the development of the various BMW parts, is
gathered in a museum and historical archive.

BMW parts are my enthusiasts and even automakers from all over the
world because these parts are all engineered with reliability and
safety while designed with elegance and comfort. The companyâ€™s
engineers focus not only on sheer power, in the case of the BMW engine,
but also on weight and durability. These specific considerations serve
the different driving dynamics of distinct mechanical applications.
Whatever its customers say they need for their vehicles, the Bavarian
Motors Works simply just finds a way to deliver without material or
technical compromises.

The BMW Reputation and its Interior Parts

2007-11-14T18:29:00.001-08:00

BMW vehicles have the reputation for giving its users the ultimate
in driving experiences. Owning a BMW vehicle brings great pride to
drive since it is meticulously engineered to respond with precision and
agility to whichever commands that are given to it by whomever happens
to be behind the wheel. It is because of the BMWâ€™s celebrated road
performance that the brand was eventually tagged as â€œThe Ultimate
Driving Machine.â€ This quality of the BMW vehicle provides drivers
with the ease and comfort that all car consumers look for.

BMW vehicles are designed to be distinct. Aside from the superb quality
these BMW vehicles exhibit, these car units have also been designed
along classic lines, giving these cars a timeless look. The people in
BMW know that although looks may withstand the test of time, some BMW
interior parts will eventually wear down with constant use. For this
reason, BMW interior parts are available in the market. These parts are
made to match the specifications of oneâ€™s BMW car unit. These parts
are especially made to meet the needs of a particular BMW vehicle.
Thus, one can expect replacement BMW interior parts to perform as ably
and competently as one's old BMW part.

In order to make certain that BMW vehicle owners can enjoy the full
benefit of having a BMW even as time goes by, there are various BMW
interior parts out in the market. There are BMW interior parts
available for all BMW vehicles. BMW interior parts
such as the air filter, alternator, antenna, ball joint, belts, body
parts, brakes, brake pads, catalytic converter, clutch, cold air
intake, control arm, engine parts, exhaust, fog lights, fuel pump,
grille, head gasket, headlights, muffler, oil filter, oil pump, oxygen
sensor, radiator, shocks, spark plugs, starter, struts, taillights,
thermostat, timing belt, timing chain, turn signal and water pump are
all a snap to avail of so keeping one's BMW in tip-top shape will be
easy.

Honda Continues Partnership With Michelin

2007-11-07T00:05:00.002-08:00

The Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) announced that the Repsol Honda Team will continue its successful partnership with Michelin for the next season of MotoGP. Michelin and Honda have collaborated in the esteemed motorcycle racing since 1982, during which time they have won 14 riders world championships and recorded 193 race wins.

The first race win of this longstanding alliance came in 1982 with Freddie Spencer at the Belgian Grand Prix and the most recent was Dani Pedrosa's great victory at the Grand Prix of Valencia on Sunday.

"I'm very satisfied with this deal with Michelin because they have a great deal of experience and technical skill and I'm confident they can supply us with race-winning tyres next year. The situation this year has been complicated for many reasons, and sometimes our performance has not been up to the level we expected," said Pedrosa. "Michelin has a long racing history with Honda and I believe this partnership can once again create the success we all want. I'm happy to show that we have full confidence in Michelin at this important time in MotoGP."

"I'm really happy to be joining up with Michelin again next year. They were a key part in achieving my World Championship last year so they've got a really special place in my heart. Honda has a long history with Michelin and I think we can work hard this winter during testing and get back to winning ways in 2008. I know they're not going to take the events of this season lightly, they want to come back strong and I'm convinced they can help us take the fight to our rivals. It won't be easy, but Michelin is a great company," added Nicky Hayden of Repsol Honda.

After a tough 2007 MotoGP season, both Honda and Michelin are determined that this new agreement will form the foundation of further success. The team will continue enhancing Honda racing parts and Michelin will stay as a reliable ally.

Frederic Henry-Biabaud, the director of Michelin Group Motorsport Division, has this to say: "We at Michelin are honoured and proud to continue this very successful partnership with Repsol Honda, with whom we have won eight world championships since 1995. And we are committed to achieving victory in 2008 through very close, intense and technological collaboration."

"Honda believes MotoGP is an arena for supreme competition and also the place where ultimate collaboration between people and technology can be achieved. We believe we must have mutual respect in this world of supremacy in order to retain our dignity and to succeed. This year the Repsol Honda Team and Michelin have been defeated. So now we must strive to return to the winner's circle where we belong. We believe next year is the year we will do this. We are determined to fight back with all our might and dignity in order to win back the title," concluded HRC President Masumi Hamane.

The Honda Reliability Factor

2007-11-07T00:05:00.001-08:00

The Honda brand are some of the most popular and highest selling vehicles available today. It seems that every vehicle they make rates very high with buyers and they have developed a very good reputation. In the late eighties that was not the case. Some of the models had some reliability issues, but still there was a cult following. Since then a remarkable transformation has taken place. The quality has improved greatly and they have slowly invaded the coveted US market with great results. How do they do it?

Reliability

Honda vehicles have one of the highest reliability factors in the industry. Take the Honda Oddessy for example. This model minivan is always in high demand and you really could not get a deal when it came to price. Because the demand was high, the price stayed high. Still people paid because of the reputation. Today it is usually a shoot out between Toyota and Honda over the most reliable minivan market. Neck in neck is a good sign that there is quality there. Somehow the US automakers failed to realize that and deliver the product that the customers really wanted. Instead they stuck to the tried and true business plan that they have always dominated with in the past. Times are changing, we are firmly entrenched in a global economy. I would have to think that the good folks at Honda figure that one out earlier.

Style

Honda gets points for style and cutting edge design. In today's market even smaller car companies have figured out that there is an edge to features. Honda has always led the way in giving the market solid cars with good engines and very practical features on the insides.

Price

Honda vehicles are not always the lowest priced vehicles. One reason is that they do not have to be. The financing promotions are not always the greatest either. Lately anything promoting less than 4.9% is very rare. Again the culprit is demand. Families today want value, and value is reliability. People use the Internet to research value and find out they are better off spending a little bit more and getting a better quality vehicle.

Innovation

Honda is not afraid to take chances and offer something no one has ever seen. Take the Ridgeline Truck series for example. The under the bed storage feature was a first in the industry. Ask any owner if he likes it and they may sit you down for a detailed story of how cool it really is. Another great feature of the truck is that it actually rides great, not like the typical truck. Seats that fold up in the rear give the truck some versatility that was missing in the market for a long time. Having the ability to put ones items in the back cab if it starts raining is a feature that sells itself. Honda proves that listening to their core market buyers pays off. The last feature is that the Ridgeline actually rides like a car. Imagine the fact that you can drive a truck that actually is a pleasure to drive. Ad in all the extra features and you have a vehicle that you will be proud to own.

Honda research is smart, they know their market. For this reason they will continue to dominate and you will see increased growth from this company. Any smart business would be smart to emulate them.

Redesigned Volvo S80: Luxury and Performance

2007-11-07T00:04:00.001-08:00

This year was quite a tough time for Volvo. Other than Ford Motor Corp.'s reported plan to have Volvo sold along with Jaguar and Land Rover in order to raise cash, the sales of most of the Volvo models dropped. Its overall U.S. sales swooped by 9.9% in the first nine months of this year, at 80,991 units. Despite this however, Volvo was able to almost double its sales of S80 at 9,963 units in the first three quarters of 2007.

The competition in the market for performance-oriented luxury sedans becomes crucial as automakers continue to crowd the segment. Volvo, as a second-tier brand, holds up with its redesigned S80 luxury sedan. The vehicle equipped with a powerful optional V-8 engine and other more pleasant features that made Volvo's S80 competitive enough with popular luxury models from Infiniti, BMW, and Audi. The big difference is that the S80 comes at a lower price along with a cool, minimalist Scandinavian interior styling.

Though the speed of the S80 sedan barely matches the BMW 535i's, it has the sporty feel comparable with Honda's Acura RL.

The 2007 redesigned Volvo S80 has been largely carried over for 2008 model year. Volvo has only added a third optional engine to the lineup. The front-wheel-drive base model can now be powered with a 3.2 L, 235 hp inline six-cylinder engine, priced at $39,450. And, the new T6, an all-wheel-drive version, can be powered by a turbocharged 3.0 L, 281 hp inline six-cylinder engine, priced at $43,790.

Even if the S80 is equipped with the V-8 engine and all-wheel-drive, and packed with several options, it is considerably cheaper compared with the V-8-powered versions of its rivals: Audi A6, BMW 535i, Infiniti M45, and Cadillac STS. It even outwits the Acura RL that comes with a 3.5 L V-6 engine priced at $47,000 to $54,500. In addition, the T6 is seven grand less than the S80 with V-8 engine.

The Sport Package worth $2,495 is offered as an optional on all versions of the S80. It has included 18-inch alloy wheels and Pirelli high-performance tires, bi-Xenon headlamps, speed-sensitive power steering, and ventilated front seats. It also comes with an electronic chassis control system that permits the alteration of suspension through a touch of a button.

The S80 also offers fair fuel economy. The 2008 model has been rated with 16 miles per gallon in city driving and 24 on the highway, whereas the all-wheel-drive models were rated 15 in the city and 23 in highway driving.

Volvo, struggling to survive, will also be releasing three new models, including the XC70 crossover vehicle, the boldly designed C30 hatchback, and the V70 wagon, in the next six months. All will be equipped with quality Volvo turn signal and other parts for optimum safety and performance.

2009 Toyota Corolla at 2007 SEMA Show

2007-11-07T00:03:00.000-08:00

It is quite surprising that Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc. has chosen the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas as the stage for the world debut of the 10th generation Toyota Corolla sedan. The company aims to continue the car's title as the best selling vehicle model of all time with the release of the 2009 model year.

According to Tim Morrison, Toyota Division corporate marketing manager: "Nearly 40 years after the Corolla was introduced to American drivers, the 2009 Corolla will continue to offer the quality and value for which the brand has long been known. In style and substance, the tenth-generation Corolla will have a strong, new identity, all its own. It will be far more than merely the next-generation Corolla and will position itself perfectly above our entry-level Yaris and below our sales leader, the Camry."

The all new 2009 Toyota Corolla sedan will roll out in dealer showrooms starting February next year. The car will be available in five model trim levels including Standard, LE, XLE, S, and the XRS. Two powertrain options are available for all models. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine capable of pumping out 132 hp at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm; and the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 162 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm. The engines are equipped with powertrain including like fuel pumps (like Volvo fuel pump). Both engines are also combined with either five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions.

The 2009 Toyota Corolla retained some of the design and functional characteristics of the previous model. Of course, the car also comes with a host of new features inside and out. For the 2009 model, the Corolla sedan features a wide low profile developed by Toyota Design. The S and XRS model trims feature a standard body kit, which includes front underbody spoiler, fog lamps, rocker moldings, upper and lower rear spoilers, and engine undercovers.

Inside, all 2009 Toyota Corolla models offer a sporty and comfortable interior features. The 2009 Corolla retained the interior dimensions like the headroom, legroom and shoulder room. The interior also features a wide range of functional amenities including center console side pockets, storage box, front and rear door pockets, console box with a large-capacity main tray, overhead console, and a rear-seat center armrest with drink holder. Toyota won't compromise the safety of its customers. The interior also features an extensive list of safety equipments to provide the best occupant protection. These include standard driver and front passenger airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, two-row side curtain airbags, and active headrests on the front seats.

Toyota also offers Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC) on all 2009 Toyota Corolla models as an additional safety feature.

New FSI Engine for Audi A5

2007-11-07T00:02:00.000-08:00

Audi is ready to bring more FSI effectiveness to the A5 coupe. The brand new four cylindered FSI engine for the A5 coupe merges the petrol injection along with turbo charging thereby increasing the overall performance

The A3, A4, A6 and TT models had used the 1.8-litre turbo petrol unit but it will not be implemented in the A5 1.8TFSI since the latest Audi A5 will be using the high-tech and direct-injected component. It has been declared that the four-cylinder engine that will power the Audi A5 coupe is estimated to be presented by November end. Even care has been taken to incorporate the new design to harmonize the new changes introduced.

The new unit has the fuel-rationing FSI direct petrol injection combined along the output improving turbo charging and is ready to provide 170PS at 4,800rpm along with 250Nm of torque peak which usually is on hand between 1,500rpm to 4,800rpm.The front wheel driven Audi A5 1.8TFSI has six-speed manual transmission and due to performance optimization changes, it surpasses 62mph in just 8.4seconds and can attain a top speed of 140mph.You can even order for the latest high-tech and directly injected model of the Audi A5 coupe for an OTR cost of ₤26,190 although the first UK are likely to hit the market by late November.

The well-known 1.8-litre Turbo petrol engine that had been used in the A3, A4, A6 and TT versions in the past and will be discontinued in the A5 1.8TFSI because the latest model of A5 will implement the superior and direct injected element. The brand new Audi A5 coupe has been modified accordingly to accommodate the four-cylinder engine and this model will hit the market by end of November.

If we compare the older V6-powered A5 model with the latest four-cylinder edition we can easily note that the huge equipment list has hardly changed. The latest version of Audi A5 coupe has some luxurious fittings like Milano leather-upholstery, three-zone climate control, rear acoustic parking sensors and features that you won't find elsewhere. The Audi now offers many more features like the Xenon lamps along with LED daytime running lights now that are found only in bigger cars.

The Audi is ready to unveil its new model to replace its successful older predecessor thereby bringing more FSI efficiency to their A5 coupe model

Blue Book Price For RVs

2007-11-03T02:09:00.000-07:00

If you are an RV owner and looking to sell your RV, you will probably need to know just what it is worth before you know how much you are willing to take for it. The best place for you to turn is to the trusty blue book. This book is like the bible of RV values. Surely, you have heard of the blue book for cars, well this is relatively the same, but for the big RVs.

How Is the Blue Book Value Calculated?

The RV blue book value takes a lot of different conditions into consideration. First, it will consider the average price asked by dealers for that specific make, model, and year.

Depending on which blue book you choose to use, you may be provided various values, such as retail, private party, and trade-in. The retail price will include profit, advertisement, commission, and other amounts that may be associated with doing business. Typically, retail value is used for selling the RV to a dealer.

Private party will give the value that someone might consider when selling to another person that is not a professional dealer. This value assumes that the RV is in top condition and meets all standards that it originally came with. Of course, there are many things to be considered when determining your selling price.

Some things to consider include:

- Current Body Condition : Is there any rust, dents, dings, or weather related signs? - Current Mechanical Condition: Does the RV run in top shape? Have you kept up on routine maintenance? Is there anything missing or not working? - Current Interior Condition: Do all appliances and facilities within the RV function properly? Are there any problems? Does the interior show any signs of wear and tear? - Model - Make - Year

It is always possible to get the most out of your RV, match the blue book value if you find the right buyer, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the RV is in top condition inside and out.

Where can I Find Current Blue Book Values?

There are several blue book value guides available for your use. However, one of the most popular is the Kelley Blue Book. This book has been used by dealers and private sellers for many years. What is great about the Kelly Blue Book is that they offer both a hard copy of the book, as well as an online version that is updated weekly. The actual book is updated several times per year.

Another great blue book guide is the N.A.D.A. Recreation Vehicle Appraisal Guide. This guide, provided by the National Automobile Dealers Association (N.A.D.A.) offers a wide range of prices that includes suggested listing, retail, and wholesale. This guide is updated three times yearly.

Knowing the blue book value of your RV can help you get a great starting point when you are looking to sell your recreation vehicle.

CR-V Honda Hybrid SUV: Coming Soon?

2007-10-22T01:50:00.002-07:00

Driving a Honda Hybrid SUV such a CR-V model is sure to be exciting. But Honda hybrid SUVs are models that are not yet fully realized in the market. They are models that have not yet caught the attention of Honda designers. Unlike competitors such as Toyota, General Motors and Ford that has already offered hybrid SUV and other types of SUV vehicles, Honda is very quiet about the subject.

Not only was Honda quiet about the subject of developing a CR-V Honda Hybrid SUV, but the development of other hybrid vehicles as well. They seemed to have lost interest in the subject and have diverted their attention to a much worthy cause. So they believe.

Honda has offered the market a couple of hybrid car models such as Insight Hybrid, Civic Hybrid and Accord Hybrid. But the development of a CR-V hybrid seemed to be far from the plans of the Honda manufacturers. Honda hybrids are among the first hybrid vehicles to come out of the market. But the expected popularity of Honda in the hybrid world seemed to decline. Honda did not maintain the popularity of their hybrid car models.

Talks have been going out that Honda was more interested about fuel cell vehicles. Honda hybrid models, the Civic and Accord have lost share in the hybrid vehicle market. This is mostly because Toyota models have gained much popularity especially with the Prius Hybrid model. Toyota was also keen to offer the Highlander hybrid in the SUV line. They have actually topped the market of hybrids. It was believed that Honda will be the one to take this position, but it was Toyota who did.

Another reason for not getting the said position could be that Honda might have really lost interest with the development of hybrid vehicles. This is mainly because they are eyeing a new technology that they believe will be the much longer trend of the future. Honda believed that hybrids are a transition trend to a more permanent power source for a vehicle. Honda believes that the futures of vehicles are fuel cells. Whether or not they have started in the development of a fuel cell model, no one knows yet.

Honda believes in the future of a pure electric vehicle. But the realization if this model has a long way to travel before coming to the market. There are many vehicle manufacturers that wanted to pioneer this endeavor but all they could produce were temporary sources of power such as the solar source. It is really interesting to have a purely electric powered vehicle since it would entail low cost and a low emission. But while they are not yet available, we can make use of hybrids.

Many critics believed that if Honda had been focused on the development of hybrids, they could be leading the way by now. They have been the first to introduced hybrids in the market. Not only this! Honda has supplied the market not only with high fuel-efficient hybrid models but with state of the art comfort and designs.

So far, the most exciting hybrid vehicle produced by Honda was the Honda Civic Si coupe hybrid that is proud of its 200 hp, 16 valve, DOHC i-VTEC engine. It has an 8000 rpm max re line. Honda Hybrid SUV is out of the picture. It has the exciting features of the regular Honda car. Honda also tried to compete with the priced Toyota Prius by offering the Honda Civic hybrid in 2002. But Toyota Prius continued to lead the way of hybrids. This is not surprising because among the many vehicle manufacturers, it is Toyota that has put high hopes in the future of hybrids. They have taken so much effort to realize this faith in the future of hybrid. No wonder that their technology was being purchased by other car manufacturer that wanted to gain a position in the hybrid market.

A CR-V Honda hybrid SUV may or may not find its way to the market. Although it is exciting for Honda lovers to be driving such a hybrid model by Honda, they have yet to wait for the decision of the carmaker whether or not they will produce such model.

Ford Hybrid Escape: The American SUV Entry

2007-10-22T01:50:00.001-07:00

Ford Motor Company took pride in 2004 with its introduction of the first full hybrid SUV (sports utility vehicle) to rock the car business. Three years ago, the 2004 Ford hybrid Escape debuted as the first American-manufactured full hybrid SUV. The much-celebrated Ford hybrid Escape is the foremost hybrid vehicle with the capacity to run in E85. The E85 is a mix of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Yielded from American-grown corn, the E85 is a renewable fuel. This ethanol-based fuel gives off lesser greenhouse emissions. It is more environment-friendly and can be used to replace gasoline fuel.

The Ford hybrid Escape has been phenomenal in sales. In 2004, Ford manufactured 17,000 Escapes. The number was four times more than the initially plan of Ford.

Ford Escape Hybrid

The Ford hybrid Escape is a full hybrid vehicle. Unlike mild hybrids such as the Saturn VUE hybrids, the full hybrid can run on electric engine or gas engine alone, or a fusion of both battery and gas engines.

The 2004 Ford hybrid Escape bagged the "Truck of the Year" award during the International Auto Show in 2005.

Two years after the launching of the first generation of the Ford hybrid Escape, the American car manufacturer released the 2006 Escape.

The 2006 Ford hybrid Escape is equipped with seven different microprocessor modules. However, this second generation of Ford hybrid Escape is not as complicated as its make-up may sound. The vehicle drive system needs no extraordinary skills to function.

This 2006 Ford hybrid Escape is virtually improved compared to its former version. It is geared with two strong electric engines. The electrical motors supplement the continuously variable transmission (CVT) and the Atkinson-cycle-4-cylinder gas engine.

This Ford hybrid Escape has high-tech thermal management system. This system helps maintain longer car battery life.

There is a certified fifty percent decrease in CO2 emissions when city-driving in a Ford hybrid Escape and a considerable unlimited driving range between gas stops.

2008 Ford Escape

A third generation of 2008 Ford hybrid Escape is more improved and advanced compared to the first two Ford hybrid Escape. The car's four-wheel disc regenerative brakes are fine-tuned with a more superior Ford engineering technology. The shift between gas and electric function is more hushed and unblemished. The Ford hybrid Escape driver has to listen very closely to hear the engine changeover.

The 2008 Ford hybrid Escape, like its 2004 and 2006 versions, is a full hybrid vehicle. At a maximum of 30mph, the Escape can operate on a 100 percent electrical energy. Ford hybrid drivers can save more on fuel consumption.

Ford Hybrid System

Ford engineered a hybrid system that automatically stops the engine when idle and automatically starts again when as needed.

The Ford hybrid system complements the 2.3-liter gas engine when increasing speed or passing. The system also features regenerative braking. It means that the system recovers energy usually lost when braking and saves the energy for the next acceleration.

During electric driving in a city-driving mode, the gas engine may be shut-off 40 percent of the total driving time.

Hybrid Tax Credits

In the United States, much interest and attention has been bestowed to the hybrid craze. Several state politicians and a number of insurance firms are giving hybrid car owners attractive benefits.

To substitute tax deductions, hybrid cars buyers will get federal tax credits. The tax credit is an extra end-product gain advantage for hybrid car buyers.

For example, Ford hybrid Escape hybrids buyers can collect $1,950 for the four-wheel-drive model. Ford two-wheel model buyers get $2,600 credits. Saturn hybrid car buyers get $1300 tax credits. The Mercury hybrid can even qualify for tax credits as high as $3000. The Hybrid Mania

With the birth of the hybrid technology, car manufacturers worldwide started to create and develop their own distinctive line of hybrid cars. Carmakers are trying to develop a more superior hybrid technology that is more fuel-efficient and with lower or possibly no harmful gas emissions.

Japanese car manufacturers Toyota and Honda are leading the hybrid race. Other car manufacturers from the United States and Europe are joining the bandwagon. In few years time, more and more hybrid vehicles will be on the streets and highways. And several years from now, hybrid owners will not only enjoy tax credits and other driving benefits. More alluring hybrid packages will soon be offered to the public.

But as for now, it is about time that we do our part in creating a safe and healthy environment. Carmakers like Ford (with its Ford Hybrid Escape, Toyota, Honda, and General Motor are doing their shares. It is about time car owners do theirs.

Motorcycle Auctions! Are they real?

2007-10-09T00:57:00.001-07:00

The thought of someone loosing their possessions kind of splits me down the middle of what I should feel. One half of me feel's really bad for that person. I could not begin to imagine what it is like to have someone come in and take my stuff from me because I could not afford it. The other half of me is kind of excited because I want what they had.

I started looking into motorcycle auctions because of Bike Week in Daytona Florida. There was a guy down there who had a sick looking set of wheels. It was a 1958 Harley and brother and sisters, lets me tell you, it was mint. I could not stop looking at this bike. I am not by any means a biker. The guy who owned this bike new it because of the questions I was asking. Long story short, he and I became friends. We chatted over the internet about business interest they we each have.

Later that year, business brought me near his house in Texas. I called him when I was in town and he invited me over. Now, when I get there, to his house, the garage doors are open. He and a couple of his friends were sitting there having an adult beverage or 3 talking about various things. But I was still in shock that there were 14 motorcycles in his garage. Ok, they must belong to the friends of his. But when the party was over and they took off, they left in their cars and the bikes stayed. I asked him about them and he said he owned them all. Wow, this dude is really rich. I have to get his business secrets. He knows something.

So later that evening, while discussing the stocks, he said that the best money he has made is in the auctions. Auctions? Ok, I needed and explanation.

So he starts to tell me the story of his investments in motorcycles. All of the bikes downstairs were his. 5 were being sold in the next few days. The money comes from the profit margin he was getting. He gave the example of the 2006 BMW R 1200 GS that he had. He got it at an auction for $395 dollars. The bike was in perfect condition and had only 1009 miles on it. So he puts it in the paper, listing it as the wife is making him get rid of it, which is not a lie. She did not like BMW bikes or cars. He lists it for $4,000 dollars. Within 3 days, he had 35 calls on it wanting to look at it. Problem is that on the first day, it ran in the paper, a gentleman called and said he really wanted this bike and he had cash. When the guy got there, he bargained a little with my friend, who was reluctant, but let it go for $3,600 dollars. Wow, that must have been hard to let that go for a $3,205 dollar profit. Yep, real hard.

On Thursday, he said was going over to Dallas to catch an auction that had 23 bikes involved. He asked if I asked if I wanted to tag along just to see what it is like. So I cancelled my flight and Thursday, we were off to Dallas.

The auctions he was going to was being held at 3pm. There were a lot of people there. I would say around 500 people. The items that were being auctioned ranged from seized cars to boats, jet skis to 4-wheelers. There were a lot of vehicles. I saw a guy end up with a 32 foot catamaran boat for just over $10,000 dollars. I thought this was a place of deals. That price scared the hell out of me. My buddy was kind of shocked because a boat like that inland was kind of weird to him. He then told me the boat was probably worth just over $120,000 dollars. Ok, maybe that was a bit of a bargain, I still have not picked up my jaw.

Now, the bikes. There were 21, not the original 23 he had thought. He probably got his auctions mixed up because of how many there are. 7 Harley Davidson bike and they were nice. There was one bike there that was a custom builder's bike. So let's cut to the chase. My buddy buys 3 bikes. 2 HD bikes and 1 Kawasaki 2005 Vulcan 1600 Classic. The Vulcan, he got that for $950 dollars. He said that he can sell for $6,000 dollars. The HD's were very nice. One was a 1997 Heritage Springer. That one he got for $1900 dollars. He said he would list that one for $10,000 dollars. The other HD, a 2003 Fat Boy will list for $12, 000 dollars in the paper. He got it for $1,500 dollars.

So, being a business man, I had to ask his secret. He then tells me that it is no secret. It is a matter of public record. All the auctions have to be printed in the paper. From 200 miles away they advertise in your paper, was my next question. He then starts to tell me of a web site that he uses and that he paid $30 bucks, one time and they give him all the auctions throughout the US and what is being auctioned in each. That is his leg work. Sitting behind a desk, just like you are right now, looking that the computer screen. In fact I now go on that very web site and shop when I am at the airport during my regular business trips. I have been to a few auctions since my buddy showed me the way. I have not found the bike I have been looking for but I did pick up a nice 65 Mustang for $1200 dollars. I sold it for $14,000 dollars.

I am telling you that if you are in the market to find an expensive bike, but you want to pay a fraction of the price, then the Sheriff Auctions site is for you. For a one time payment of $29.99, you get access to:

1. Auction listings containing auctions of Government-seized and other property including motorcycles, cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and boats.

2. Listings of live online Sheriff Auctions and other Auctions in your local area and throughout the USA, so you will always get the best deals, complete with the contact names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and websites for easy reference and immediate use.

3. Full access to our Members' Area, containing current reports on the date, time, and locations of the best Government Auctions and other Auctions happening in your local area as well as throughout the surrounding region and across the USA.

And a whole lot more.

This information would cost you a ton if you were to do it on your own. All of the information is right there for you. Who wants to have 3000 news papers delivered to their house every week so they can look for the Sheriff Auctions? And when are you going to have the time to open and look thru all of them? With a money back guarantee, how can you go wrong? I know I'm not. I will be doing an online auction in a few hours and I plan on getting my bike there. An O.C.C. that has been listed in a small area of the US. Not a lot of bidders, so I should make out. Take care and be safe!

Mercedes Benz Introduces C 63 AMG

2007-10-04T20:07:00.000-07:00

The German automaker Mercedes Benz introduces the newest C-Class model with design cues and performance features from the company's AMG sports tuner.

The new Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG will roll out in the market with two variants: sedan and estate models. Both variants are equipped with a monstrous AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine capable of pumping out 336 kW / 457 hp and 600 Nm amount of peak torque. This naturally aspirated engine allows the Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 4.5 seconds and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The car is equipped with a continuous dual-flow AMG sports exhaust system with two chromed twin oval tailpipes with large cross-sections to reduce back pressure, according to Mercedes Benz. Along with high performance catalytic converter, the C 63 AMG complies with almost all of the emissions standards including EU 4 and LEV-II. According to the NEDC, the new Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG achieves a fuel consumption of only 13.4 l/100 km and emits a mere amount of CO2 of 319 g/km. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine is coupled with AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission to complete the powertrain package.

Like all other Mercedes Benz AMG models, the C 63 AMG comes with a wide array of interior and exterior components. Outside, the C 63 AMG features AMG bonnet with power domes, distinctive AMG radiator grille, flared front wings, AMG rear apron with a black diffusor insert, AMG sports exhaust system with two chromed twin tailpipes, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, AMG spoiler lip, EASY PACK tailgate and load-securing kit, headlamp Assist, and bi-xenon headlamps with cornering light function and headlamp cleaning. The C 63 AMG also comes with various wheel and tire combinations. These include the new 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design wrappe3d with tyres in size 235/40 R 18 (front) and 255/35 R 18 (rear). A 19-inch AMG titanium grey light-alloy wheels in a multi-spoke design is also available as an optional feature. These high-gloss finish wheels are covered with 235/35 tyres (front) and 255/30 R 19 tyres at the rear.

On the inside, the Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG offers the distinctive AMG sports seats with integrated head restraints, AMG performance steering wheel in a three-spoke design with a 365-mm rim diameter, flattened lower section, tubular-design AMG instrument cluster with AMG main menu, aluminium trim panels on dome, doors and centre console, armrest with roller-top compartment, AMG lettering and brushed stainless steel sports pedals, 1/3:2/3 split-fold rear seat backrest (saloon), /3:2/3 split-fold rear seat backrest (estate), AMG carbon-fibre trim, AMG velour floor mats, and Nappa leather upholstery, just to name the few. Safety feats include ISOFIX child seat attachment points in the rear, THERMATIC two-zone automatic climate control, knee bag on the driver's side, airbags for the driver and front passenger, and Mercedes Benz's PRE-SAFE system available as an optional feature.

Technical features include improved multi-link independent rear suspension with increased track width, fade-resistant AMG high-performance brake system, and new 3-stage ESP with Sport function.

The company said the Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG will roll out in selected markets in Europe early in 2008 carrying a base manufacturer's suggested retail price of 67,235 Euros ($95,782) for the sedan variant, and 69,853 Euros ($99,512 USD) for the estate. Probably this model will also roll out in the US market. Mercedes Benz lovers should watch out for this model instead of upgrading their auto parts (like Saab OEM parts).

BMW Unwraps the All-New BMW 1 Series Convertible

2007-10-02T23:45:00.000-07:00

BMW has finally unveiled its 1 Series Convertible three months after announcing that it would build a coupe version of its small family car.

The new BMW 1 Series Convertible is the fourth offshoot of the 1 Series after the three and five-door versions and the Coupe. The new 1 Series convertible will have a fabric roof that opens and closes in 22 seconds at speed of up to 25 mph.

In terms of engine, the BMW 1 Series Convertible will have five engine options---one diesel and four petrols. The 120d diesel is a 175bhp common-rail unit producing 258lb ft of pulling power. Meanwhile the petrol versions include 141bhp 2.0 liter 118i, a 168bhp 2.0 liter 120i, a six-cylinder 215bhp 3.0 liter 125i and a twin-turbo 302bhp six-cylinder 3.0 liter 135i.

The new BMW Convertible also possess new features such as an air-conditioning system derived from the 3 Series convertible which is recognizable once the roof is opened and change to its Convertible mode. The retracted roof of the Convertible triggers the ventilation system to respond less to the interior temperature and more to the outside temperature including the sunlight in order to determine the intensity of the ventilation required.

To enhance safety, two rollover bars extend from behind the rear seats in a fraction of a second once sensors detect a possible flip over. This action will protect the occupants in the event of rollovers.

BMW has also launched a program called "Efficient Dynamics" that would ensure that all of its 1 Series Convertibles are fuel efficient and eco-friendly. Part of the program is the regenerative braking which make use of an intelligent alternator and a unique type of battery that recovers energy lost from the engine especially during braking or when using the engine to slow down the car.

There is also a so-called stop-start technology that saves fuel by stopping the engine like for instance when the car is put to stop at traffic lights. A gearshift indicator is also available and informs the driver of the most fuel saving gear to use.

Another new feature is the new clutched air-conditioning pump in which the pump decouples therefore requiring only 10 percent of the normal power used to drive the pump. This best thing about this pump is that it prevents fuel from being wasted.

And lastly, all models excluding the 135i were given electronic power steering which operates only when needed unlike the conventional hydraulic power steering systems therefore reducing its consumption of energy which is usually sourced from the engine.

The German automaker and producer of high quality BMW brakes, BMW AG has not yet made any announcement regarding the price of the new BMW 1 Series Convertible. There are also no schedules yet onto when the car will reach UK showrooms.

Mazda 323 All The Way

2007-09-29T00:58:00.002-07:00

It is an interesting fact that the well-loved Mazda 323 comes in different names. It just depends on which country it is being sold. It was primarily called the Mazda Familia or the Mazda's subcompact family. It became known later on as the Mazda GLC, and then the Mazda Protegé. Its production in Japan was dated between 1976 and 2003.

In North America, the 323/ Protege was relatively more expensive and less common compared to its entry-level competitors like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, partly due to its manufacture in Japan. However, this did not stop the Mazda 323 from becoming a constant favorite among US car magazines, acknowledging the model for its spirited handling. In 1986, it crossed over to the EPA "compact" class, becoming the first small Japanese car to do so. Each Mazda 323 Part was equally acknowledged for performing as efficiently as expected.

Up to this day, Mazda 323 owners are satisfied with the performance of their valued car. This could be due to the unparalleled skills of the Japanese in creating the Mazda car, or probably because of the reliability that the Mazda 323 Parts offer.

Like any other Mazda car, the Mazda 323 Parts have been reputed to meet the expectations of the critical driver's eye. They are made with the most durable materials that were gathered through the latest technology. As the Mazda 323's were built in Hiroshima, Japan, and also assembled in Taiwan, Malaysia, South Africa, Colombia, and New Zealand, the Mazda 323 Parts were used to be manufactured in these locations, too. However, they now have become available for everybody at almost any auto parts dealer. So whether one needs a part to complete his ignition system, brake system or exhaust system, the Mazda 323 Parts are highly recommended.

The All-New Mazda2 in Detail

2007-09-29T00:58:00.001-07:00

Japanese automaker Mazda continues the evolution of the company's Zoom Zoom design philosophy in Europe with the release of the all new Mazda2 model. Mazda redesigned the Mazda2 subcompact to compete with other vehicle models in the European B-segment.

With the compact body and dynamic styling combined with the comfortable interior, the Mazda2 really embodies the Zoom Zoom spirit. In addition, the all new Mazda2 offers an additional aerodynamic improvement. This is achieved through the bumpers with aerodynamically optimised contours and reduced turbulence. Other exterior features include power rear windows, fog lights, rain and light sensor, available 15 or 16-inch aluminium wheels, available high-grade version 16-inch aluminium wheels, Keyless Entry & Start System, and auto light and auto wiping system.

Design highlights of the Mazda2 include rear lights with LEDs, washer nozzles hidden inside the cowl, micro-switch on the liftgate, contrast between silver accents in the area of the outer air-vents, the steering wheel, speakers, gearshift, cupholder, stereo, the speedometer and the door panels. Circular designs are found on the four air-vents, instruments, centre stack display and the controls for the heating and air- conditioning.

Moreover, the Mazda2's three-spoke steering wheel comes with a unique design with mounted controls. Ikuo Maeda, Chief Designer of the Mazda2 commented: "Looking for a significantly more dynamic starting point with an even sharper Mazda identity, we began working again with a blank piece of paper. Our goal was to create the maximum amount of dynamism in a length of 3.88 metres without sacrificing functionality."

The unique and appealing interior design is complemented with a host of standard and optional entertainment and information in-car systems, as well as functional interior feats.

These features include glove box with an open magazine rack, floor centre console between the front seats with drink holder, 12-volt socket to power or charge electric devices, AUX jack for connecting digital devices like iPod or any other MP3 players, 60/40 split rear seat, remote central locking, electric adjustable door mirrors, manual or automatic air-conditioning , an MP3/CD changer, front seat heating and leather steering wheel with leather gear shift knob, and adjustable speed warning system.

The Mazda2 also offers a wide range of active and passive safety systems starting from the side and curtain airbags, ISOFIX anchors in each rear outer seat, driver and passenger airbags, up to the electric power assist steering with adjustable steering wheel height, anti lock braking system (ABS), and Dynamic stability control (DSC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), and Traction Control System (TCS). Moreover, Mazda extends the safety of the vehicle with Mazda Advanced Impact Distribution and Absorption System (MAIDAS), ultra-high strength front bumper, strengthened side sills and floor pan cross members, shock-absorbing pads in the door trims, pillars and roof side rails, large rear bumper beam and new side members, and seatbelts with pretensioners and load-limiters. These safety feats allow the Mazda2 to be included in the vehicle models that have the best occupant protection.

The all new Mazda2 also comes with a range of powertrain options including Mazda MZR 1.3-litre petrol engine that produces 55 kW/ 75 PS or 63 kW/ 86 PS; a 1.5-litre petrol unit that produces 76 kW/ 103 PS, and a fuel-efficient MZ-CD 1.4-liter common rail turbo diesel engine. Petrol variants are equipped with sequential valve timing (S-VT) and optimized exhaust valve timing.

This all new Mazda model could be one of the strongest contenders in the B-segment, competing with the Honda Fit (with Honda repair manual) and other European models

The Ford Hybrid Car and their Distinct Innovative Advantages

2007-09-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

The Ford Hybrid Car and their Distinct Innovative Advantages

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of "hybrid car", then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of "hybrid car".

Ford has always been a brand name that signifies excellence, innovation, dedication and is really an All-American brand name. One of the biggest players in the motor industry, Ford has never failed to provide the American population and the world, cutting edge vehicles that caters to every needs.

With the growing environmental concerns not just in USA, Ford has joined the Hybrid bandwagon and came up with their own Hybrid card. It is popularly known that Americans love the room and power that SUV's provide, and with the hybrid sedan crowding with Japanese manufactured hybrid cars, Ford decided to infuse their hybrid technology with a vehicle they know many Americans would embrace, a Hybrid SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) in the form of the Ford Escape Hybrid.

The Ford Escape Hybrid was first introduced in 2004 and is a gas electric powered compact SUV. Consumer demand became strong for the Ford Escape Hybrid prompting Ford to produce more of the gas saving SUV.

To avoid any legal issues, Ford went into an agreement with Toyota to use some of the patented hybrid technology previously used in the very successful Toyota Prius. By 2006, The Hybrid system utilized by Ford is acknowledged as one of the more advanced in technology being offered. The Ford Escape Hybrid is now available as a full hybrid motor vehicle. It makes use of different power combinations that adjusts to the driving style to conserve more power and achieve maximum potential and efficiency in performance.

The best time to learn about "hybrid car" is before you're in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable "hybrid car" experience while it's still free.

Compared to the conventional gas fed Ford escape, they provide the same performance, comfort with less fuel consumption.

Aside from the Ford escape Hybrid, Ford has also released another Hybrid SUV under one of their car brand names, Mercury. The Mercury mariner has many similarities with the Ford Escape Hybrid and its soon to be released sibling the Mazda Tribute Hybrid. Ford plans to further develop their SUV hybrid lineup concentrating on this segment but is not dismissing the hybrid sedan segment and have plans to introduce hybrid sedans in the future.

Fords research and design table are now over flowing with plans to further boost awareness and concern with environmental issues and have dedicated to provide more alternative powered vehicles as they see that this is the future. This is because Hybrid cars offer a lot of advantages and benefits that does not only cater to environmental issues but as to the pockets of the consumers as well.

With a Ford hybrid car, you will soon notice that you will be doing less pit stops for refueling as you can squeeze out more miles to a gallon. With the ever escalating prices of fuel, this is a warmly welcomed change. You will also notice the significant lowering of the sounds the engine makes. Plus, some states offer tax rebates when purchasing hybrid vehicles, which translates to more savings in the bank.

Ford has now over a hundred patents pending to further develop their Hybrid technology. All of them would be able to make our lives better. With Ford Hybrid vehicles, you get the same comfort, same performance and same space but with less gas emissions and less gas spending. You get true value for your money and your helping our environment at the same time.

Is there really any information about "hybrid car" that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

BMW X3 vehicles can feature all of your favorite radio stations with perfect reception

2007-09-11T01:01:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a compact SUV that is a luxury vehicle, you likely discovered the BMW X3. BMW actually doesn't refer to them as an SUV, but rather as SAV, or sport activity vehicle. The latest versions of the X3 come equipped with heated seats, adaptive headlamps, panoramic sunroof, and an 3.0si engine with 260 horsepower. For improved safety, the BMW X3 also comes equipped with xDrive, which allows the vehicle to compensate before the driver might be aware of an unstable situation, thus improving your safety in potentially dangerous driving conditions. When you are looking at your options in satellite radio for bmw X3, bmw xm is a great choice. BMW X3 satellite radio offers you all of your favorite radio stations with perfect reception no matter where you might be traveling in your BMW.

If you enjoy rock, then you will like the fact that XM's two powerful satellites are nicknamed "Rock" and "Roll." They are orbiting Earth in a similar manner as other communications satellites.

XM Satellite Radio gives you so many options. With 100 channels of music, talk radio, news and entertainment, you are sure to find something great to listen to while in your BMW X3, even if you are no where close to a radio station transmitter. Your locale, no matter where that might be, is no obstacle to XM's two Hughes HS 702 satellites. Those two powerhouses send any XM channel you wish right to your car's radio. The XM lineup of outstanding radio begins at a ground station located near Washington, D.C., which sends their signal to the satellites, which then beam the signals down to Earth, and those signals are picked up by radio receivers designed to play the digital data they receive from the satellites.

If you are traveling in an urban area where there are a lot of tall buildings, you might have experienced intermittent gaps in your traditional radio reception. All of that is a thing of the past with XM Satellite Radio, because there are also transmitters placed strategically on the ground so you will always have great reception in your BMW X3 SAV.

XM Satellite Radio is a subscription service. For a small monthly fee you receive 100 channels of all your favorite programming that plays crystal clear no matter where you might be driving in your BMW X3. No traditional terrestrial radio can offer you the same listening excellence as can satellite radio.

Another aspect that many drivers favor when it comes to listening to satellite radio is the lack of commercials that play on the channels. On terrestrial radio, commercials can really break up the flow of the music or other programming. That annoyance is taken away with XM, when you can choose your favorite channels that feature your favorite artists or speakers.

New Hybrid Cars

2007-09-11T01:00:00.000-07:00

If you have been in the market for a new car recently, you may have seen advertisements and articles about the new hybrid cars. These automobiles sound quite attractive on the surface, since they can get up to 20-30 more miles to the gallon than their traditional counterparts. Many of the big auto manufacturers have jumped on the new hybrid car bandwagon, including Toyota, Honda, Lexus and Saturn. But what are these new hybrid cars and what can one of them do for you?

A new hybrid car combines two different power sources that work together to create an engine that is incredibly fuel efficient and much less polluting than the typical gasoline engines of today. A small gasoline engine is found in the new hybrid car that is designed for maximum fuel efficiency. In addition to the gasoline engine, there is an electric motor that is powered by batteries located inside of the car. These batteries are recharged through the running of the car, alleviating the need for an elaborate charging system at home and limited use of the car. The new hybrid cars combine the best of both worlds. You get the long-running, easy maintenance of a traditional gasoline engine. You also get the environmentally friendly, low fuel requirement of an electric motor. The result is a new hybrid car that will run efficiently and cleanly on gas and electricity. This concept has made these new hybrid cars a popular choice for many who are in the market for a new vehicle. However, the technology is still new, and the supply is still greatly limited. Today, there are only a handful of the new hybrid cars on the market. They come in a variety of manufacturer names, and in a choice of styles, including SUV's and compact sedans. However, it is not easy to find these types of cars at many locations, since the supply was bought up rather quickly after they made their appearance on new car lots. The good news is that plans are in the works for even more car manufacturers to make even more models of these new hybrid cars in the months and years to come.It is possible that the new hybrid cars will gradually take their place as the most popular vehicles on the road. Keep your eyes open for the hybrid cars at the auto dealers in your town or city.

Auto Transport - A Good Move for Our Environment

2007-09-11T00:59:00.000-07:00

The move toward "greener" more environmentally friendly practices can be seen all across our nation. Hybrid cars are a huge hit leaving dealers with waiting lists of customers who want to help reduce the effects of global warming. Green homebuilding is all the rage and helps reduce waste in landfills as well as save on energy consumption. But there is one type of company that has been fighting this battle for years without a lot of fanfare: auto transport companies.

It has been reported that just one auto transport company can save almost 3 million gallons of fuel resulting in more than a 38 million pound reduction in greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. That's a significant savings!

For example, if there were only one auto transport company in each state, the national savings would equate to almost 150 millions gallons of fuel saved and almost 2 billion pounds of greenhouse gases that were prevented from escaping into the atmosphere. Multiply that by the hundreds, or possibly thousands, of auto transport businesses across the nation and the figures are staggering.

Of course, not every vehicle can be shipped. Many must be driven to their destinations. However, auto transport companies take pride in knowing that their industry is having a positive affect on global warming.

It might be hard to imagine that by choosing an auto transport company to ship a vehicle rather than driving from origin to destination, you would be contributing to the fight against global warming. It certainly does. Transportation is the biggest source of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions: more than factories or homes. So you can see that when it comes to global warming, how and what we drive are two of our most powerful choices.

The burning of fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel, etc.) to facilitate transportation and the subsequent release of carbon dioxide and other suspected greenhouse gases is under strong critique. The reduction of these environmental menusis must be a top priority if we hope to save our planet and prevent further permanent damage due to global warming.

The following emission data is from the Department of Energy website at www.DOE.gov.

One gallon of gasoline produces 19.564 lbs of carbon dioxide. Average mpg for a car or SUV is 19 mpg. One gallon of diesel produces 22.384 pounds of carbon dioxide. Average mpg for an auto transport truck is 4.7.

Just one auto transport company shipped over 90,000 vehicles within a 12-month period of time and had the following impact:

> > 2,926,000 gallons of fuel saved

> > 38,216,000-pound reduction of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere

As significant as this sounds, this example shows two very important things. First, the need is great! Even with auto transport companies and other eco-minded businesses involved, we have a long way to go. Second, just imagine the tremendous impact we could all have if we took the needed steps to protect our environment. Individual participation is the key.

The next time you get into your car, take time to consider your driving habits. Consolidating trips, carpooling, driving at slower speeds and shipping your car when applicable are simple and painless changes that can have a long-lasting impact.

Hybrid Concept Cars

2007-09-03T19:39:00.000-07:00

With technology booming and with a growing interest in hybrid technology, there have been a plethora of hybrid concept cars appearing on the scene at auto shows in the past couple years. Here's a look at some of the hottest and most innovative. This hybrid concept car is designed to be among the first high performance hybrid cars. With a 3.3L V6 engine, and a separate electric motor for each wheel, this car can maneuver and accelerate as well as any car available. Named for Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the battery, the Toyota Volta gets about 32 miles per gallon by combining fuel efficiency with battery power. This race car style vehicle seats three, with a two plus one seating configuration Ford Reflex.

The Ford Reflex is a hybrid concept car aimed at improving mileage and efficiency. It is designed to combine three different kinds of power: diesel, electric, solar. Currently, the Ford Reflex is said to achieve 65 miles per gallon by using a new type of battery made of lithium, like the batteries found in cell phones. The Reflex uses the same seating configuration as the Toyota Volta, with a fold down rear facing child seat so that you have the option of increasing the seating from three to four. One other cool feature of the Ford Reflex is that the insulation is made from recycled tennis shoes, making this hybrid concept car even more environmentally friendly.

The Volvo 3cc is a little bit different than the other hybrid concept cars described here in that it is powered entirely through a battery, giving it a zero emission electric powtertrain which helps to prevent pollution while decreasing fossil fuel consumption. The battery is able to recover energy when breaking, so that the car has a travel range up to 180 miles before needing to stop and recharge. Its lightweight, sleek and sexy body makes it very visually appealing while improving its performance and efficiency. Using only electric power, this car can achieve speeds up to 85 miles per hour. Are we likely to see any of these hybrid concept cars on the market any time soon? Maybe not. But the features included with each of them, and the technological innovations they collectively embody, can lead to many improvements in the hybrid vehicles that are sold. While some hybrid concept cars merely exist to influence the market, some have become popular street vehicles, like the Insight and the Prius.

For information on buying and selling new and second hand cars and bikes visit http://www.bharathautomobiles.com/index.php

author
James Gunaseelan writes for India's Leading Automobile Portal to buy and sell second hand and new automobiles

Toyota Hybrid Cars

2007-08-31T01:38:00.000-07:00

Toyota believes that in order to have a positive environmental impact, a large number of consumers must embrace the technology. Toyota remains committed to developing an "Eco Vehicle," one that will have a minimal impact on the environment. Toyota was the first company to introduce a hybrid vehicle to the mass market in 1997. Toyota has sold more than 600,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide, and 300,000 Prius hybrids in the United States. Toyota is battling with General Motors to be the world's top-selling carmaker.

Toyota

Well equipped with standard features like Push Button Start, cruise control, keyless entry, power door locks and windows, and a liquid crystal multi-information display, the 2007 Toyota Prius offers great value for a great price. So for good training, great colleagues and a company that really acts like an employer of choice, make Toyota your first stop. High fuel prices have boosted sales of Toyota's small cars and hybrid vehicles which run on petrol and electricity. Today Toyota joined almost every other major car company who had already unveiled plans for producing cars that run on energy supplied by the electric grid. Announcing the official plug-in Prius based on the most popular hybrid vehicle to date, Toyota said it would test the fuel-saving vehicle on public roads. Today's Toyota Plug-in HV runs on the same nickel metal hydride battery as the Prius and has a cruising range of 8 miles on electricity. "It's difficult to say when plug-in hybrids could be commercialized, since it would depend largely on advances in battery technology," said Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto, in charge of Toyota's power train technology, told a news conference. Why can't Toyota just make a plug-in option for the current Prius with the current nickel metal hydride batteries?

Prius

Toyota has sold more than 600,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide, and 300,000 Prius hybrids in the United States. The Prius is a feat of modern technology. Announcing the official plug-in Prius based on the most popular hybrid vehicle to date, Toyota said it would test the fuel-saving vehicle on public roads. Today's Toyota Plug-in HV runs on the same nickel metal hydride battery as the Prius and has a cruising range of 8 miles on electricity. Toyota remains cautious about assigning a date for production of a plug-in Prius. The car could hit showrooms by late 2009, roughly the time that Toyota hopes to have its next-generation Prius ready to go. The Prius has won numerous awards from automotive, consumer, and environmental groups. Also Prius's that people have moded also do 40mpg on batteries alone.

TOYOTA Universal Design Showcase gives everyone a chance to find out how interesting and widespread Universal Design is. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA) works side-by-side with hundreds of North American suppliers to build our top quality vehicles. Toyota's purchasing principles, supplier development efforts, and desired products.

The Benefits Of Contract Hire And Leasing Vehicles

2007-08-26T19:40:00.001-07:00

A great advantage of car leasing is the potential to enable people to drive the cars they want, but can't necessarily afford to buy outright. This alone makes it a very attractive purchasing method for many individuals and start-up businesses wanting to make a positive, professional impression by driving an executive vehicle. Contract hiring also allows people to easily change their cars more frequently than through traditional buying and selling. This means that as well as being able to upgrade as your circumstances or preferences change, it's also possible to never drive a car that's more than 3 years old so you can benefit from having the manufacturers warranty to cover maintenance costs and never have the inconvenience or expense of needing to take the car for an MOT.

Off Balance Sheet Funding Under contract hire, your vehicles do not appear on your company's balance sheet as they are owned by the contract hire company. The removal of capital assets from your balance sheet can enhance a company's gearing (borrowing) ratio. Simultaneously, your business image can benefit from employee use of a high specification vehicle. If your business is in a strong financial position at the end of the lease period, you can choose to make the final payment for the outstanding amount of the guaranteed minimum future value determined at the start of the contract and add the vehicle to your assets at that time. If your company will be of more benefit without the ownership of the vehicle, you can return the vehicle and start a new contract on a replacement model of your choosing.

Fixed Monthly Cost A fixed monthly payment is charged over the life of the contract and the initial up front payment is normally just three month's rental. This payment is calculated by considering the cost of the vehicle, the anticipated mileage and it's future value at the end of the hire period. Fixed monthly costs for the period of the contract makes budgeting much easier and you do not have the added worry of unexpected high payment demands. Additionally, more accurate budgeting improves your company's cash flow allowing flexibility in other margins. Any extra mileage is paid at the conclusion of the lease period, rather than in additional monthly charges. By ensuring employees keep to the agreed mileage limit, there will be no top up fee needed at the end of the contract.

VAT Benefits Contract hire has many VAT benefits that can be passed on directly to customers. As contract hire companies are able to claim back the VAT on the purchase price of any new car, once the vehicle is on the road, they can make a claim back of one hundred percent of the VAT on the servicing aspect of the rental price and fifty percent of the finance rental cost. This is a real bonus to businesses, in comparison to vehicles owned directly by the company, which are deemed assets.

Reducing Your Financial Risks It is essential to manage the risks involved in running a vehicle fleet and by opting for contract hire you are able to do precisely that. Contract Hire enables you to simply pay the monthly fixed rental price and insure and fuel the vehicles. At the end of the lease period, a further lease can be taken out on new, replacement vehicles, reducing the likelihood of any being taken off the road for maintenance as would be ordinarily expected as they age and preventing the need to make good any wear and tear that would be expected with increased age and mileage of a vehicle. This ensures your fleet is always made up of top specification, high performing and excellent condition vehicles.

Contract Hire can be a sound financial decision for a business that requires use of a car or van and the flexibility to regularly change the motor vehicles in use, ensuring a professional image with high quality vehicles always representing the company. Contract Hire is the leasing of a vehicle to a business (usually VAT registered), for a fixed period of time with a pre-defined mileage at a fixed monthly rental. The price is based on the agreement length, estimated mileage and the value of the vehicle once the contract has been completed. Maintenance packages are sometimes included, however suitability will depend on your mileage and general usage of the vehicle.

Tips For Buying A New Car

2007-08-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

Before you rush out and buy that new car, it's a wise idea to think about what you really need in a car.

People's needs change, so what was suitable when you bought your present car may not be the right criteria for now - or the future. For instance, if you are a young married and plan on having a family over the next few years, you'll need to consider whether there will be enough space in your chosen car.

A car should last at least ten years and things can certainly change in that time.

You might intend to only have one child, but what about school friends or car-pooling? There will need to be enough space for these possibilities. A sporty two-seater will be impossible to fit two or three kids in along with Mum and Dad.

On the other hand, that six-seater you bought several years ago could be far too big if your children have all recently left home. Yet again, you might decide that now is the time to take that long trip you've planned for years and you'll need a larger vehicle to tow the caravan. Another thing to consider is what you will be using the vehicle for most. Do you take off-road holidays, or do you prefer to keep to the main roads? Will the car need to double as a work vehicle? Maybe it will be needed for work, family and shopping.

If you will be using it for work as well as family, will it hold the things you need for your work? Not many bags of horse feed will fit in a sedan. On the other hand if the car is to be used as a run-about for the shopping and children, a sedan would be fine. Counting costs may also need to come into the equation. These days when the cost of fuel has risen considerably, it makes sense to buy the car that takes the least amount of fuel to run - so long as it still meets your other needs.

These are some important things to think about before making that final decision.

Before you go out to buy that car, it might pay to do some research on it. There are many websites that allow you to type in make and model of a car and get details of what it is worth.

Ideally, you should make a folder especially for all the information you will get from various sources. It's easy to forget or confuse one set of information with another. Trading magazines will give you a good idea of what a particular make and model of car is selling for, and you can watch the ads in the newspaper and at used car lots.

Be sure to save all the data and put it into your folder. But price is not the only thing you want to find out. New car pricing info can be had from FightingChance.com, Autoweb, Autos.com, Invoice Dealers and others. They will give you prices on new and used cars and also the dealer invoice price for new cars.

It's much easier to do this research online rather than drive all over town hunting down prices. Always get at least three quotes for a new car. They will all vary. The way to get the best price on your chosen vehicles is with competing quotes. You should never go to a car yard without your quotes to compare with their prices.

Volvo S80 Tops IIHS Crash Test

2007-08-19T20:19:00.001-07:00

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has recognized the safety features of Volvo's S80 luxury sedan. The vehicle earned top ratings from IIHS's front, rear, and side impact protection. This also allows the Volvo S80 to earn the 2007 "Top Safety Pick" award in the luxury sedan segment. The Volvo S80 joined the Kia Amanti and Acura RL in the top performers list during the test.

According to Anne Belec, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, "Volvo safety has been over 80 years in the making. Our cars are born from a culture that believes in protecting those in and around everything we make. Safety is a matter of cultural pride. Safety is not added on; it comes with the first kernel of thought when designing a new Volvo."

"These changes are attributable to two effects. There have been significant improvements in frontal crash protection -- standard airbags, improved structural designs, and increased use of safety belts, for example. At the same time, growing sales of SUVs and pickups have exacerbated height mismatches among passenger vehicles, thereby increasing the risks to occupants of many vehicles struck in the side. The Amanti shows that you don't have to buy an expensive car to get good protection in crashes with SUVs and pickup trucks." said IIHS President Adrian Lund.

IIHS evaluates the side impact protection based on the vehicle's performance in a crash test, that includes striking the vehicle with a barrier moving at 31 mph. Ratings are calculated based on the injuries inflicted on two instrumented SID-IIs dummies. The Volvo S80 performed well in the crash test with only minor intrusions and injuries to the dummies.

The Volvo S80 luxury sedan was able to earn the 2007 "Top Safety Pick" award because of the vehicle's host of passive and active safety equipments. These include the protective exterior safety that absorbs the incoming impact reducing injuries and damage to the vehicle.

The Volvo S80 also comes with a new type of side-impact airbag called the SIPS (Side Impact Protection System). According to Volvo, this type of airbag system "feature two separate inflation chambers - one at hip height and one at chest height". In addition, SIPS interact with the inflatable curtains (IC) and the body's network of beams to reduce the occupants' acceleration loads.

Another new Volvo safety system is the WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System). This system is one of most in demand safety feature in the market. WHIPS allows the front seat backrest and head restraint to move together in case of rear impact occurs.

Other safety features of the Volvo S80 include three-piece steering column designed to pivot up and collapse away from the driver; five seats equipped with three-point inertia-reel safety belts, belt pre-tensioners, and head restraints; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Collision Warning with Brake Support (CW); Blind Spot Identification System (BLIS); Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS); Active Bi-Xenon Light; and Personal Car Communicator (PCC). The S80 really offers a bunch of safety features unlike GMC models with GMC floor liner.

BMW Reveals Hydrogen Seven

2007-08-19T20:18:00.001-07:00

BMW has finally launched the much awaited Hydrogen 7 Pioneer Program today. The new car is the automaker's very first hydrogen-propped car under the luxury sedan line-up for BMW. The German car maker gave the Hollywood actor Will Ferrell the first key of the BMW Hydrogen 7 and this will serve as his personal car.

After several speculations about Brad Pitt driving the first hydrogen car, it is finally official that the first celebrity to drive the car is Will Ferrell. According to BMW, this car will also be driven by other prominent figures in the business, politics and entertainment industry.

BMW also pointed out that the Hydrogen 7 is not a concept car but only 100 cars will be produced to compensate with the stricter emission standards set by the US government. Among these 100 cars, 25 of it will be submitted for an evaluation in the US. The Hydrogen car is using only hydrogen fuel to produce minimum amount of CO2 during emission.

The company also mentioned that this new car is not for sale. However they are also open for the possibility to make it as a production car in the future, as well as make the Hydrogen 7 pave the way to make hydrogen technology available on their future cars.

Building Hydrogen 7 will also educate the people to understand the importance of hydrogen technology and they also believe that this is a key to the future mobility.

The Hydrogen 7 obviously is not just like any other car equipped with with GMC fog light, and BMW, knowing its significance in the industry, chose a celebrity like Ferrell to drive the first Hydrogen 7 because they are trying to influence people on how important it is to save the environment through the support of these popular figures.

Ferrell is also the first American to drive the new hydrogen car.

Interestingly actor Brad Pitt was also reported to have driven the same car during the premiere of his movie "Ocean's 13". Other celebrities associated with the car include Peter Liguori, Richard Gere and Sharon Stone, Davis Guggenheim and Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck for the US and Michael Glos, Gunter Verheugen and Anna Netrebko.

Audi Cars, First to wear LED lights

2007-08-15T23:32:00.000-07:00

The Audi R8 will be the first car to wear LED headlights as an option, edmunds.com reports. The German automaker will be featuring the very first LED headlights on its new car, made in its assembly plant that also makes other quality auto parts like Audi Catalytic Converter. An LED is a semiconductor light source that emits cold light at low voltages.

Audi said, "A special permit from the EU has paved the way for incorporating front-lighting LED technology into series production ahead of schedule. This is because the corresponding EU regulation is not expected to come into force before 2008."

The low-beam headlamps which are implemented by semiconductors consist of two LED arrays of four active elements embossed on a free-from reflector. The optical lenses are also given additional two LED chips as well as three LED arrays. LED lights are also known because of its powerful lighting effect that controls both brightness and darkness when the car needs it most.

The high beam headlights were also given four LED arrays. The LED lights can also be used during daytime and the lower edge of the new car received 24 LED array to be used during the day. The PCBs are also handling the LED chips as well as the heat sink. To keep the normal temperature of these LED lights, the car also received blower to cool them down just in case it heats up. All in all, the R8 is set to feature 54 LED lights.

The German auto maker also revealed that in the future, they are planning to combine both LED technology and the innovative semiconductor-driven headlamp technologies to improve the lighting of their cars. They will also add the swiveling headlights to the cars they are making.

The R8 is set to hit showrooms this coming 2008.

LED lights are the latest and most innovative form of headlights these days. They are also known to produce the right amount of lighting using only a few voltages. This only means that you can save more energy if your car has it.

Lexus and Buick Top 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study

2007-08-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

The recent 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) conducted by J.D. Power and Associates shows that Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus luxury division and General Motors' Buick brand ranked as the highest vehicle nameplates in terms of dependability. J.D. Power and Associates said that this is "the first time that another brand ties with Lexus for the highest-rank position."

So how does J.D. Power and Associates rank these vehicles? Well, J.D. Power staff based their rankings for the 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study by measuring the problems stated by vehicle owners in three years of ownership. J.D. Power calculates these problems with the unit called "problems per 100 vehicles" or PP100. J.D. Power and Associates conducted a survey from more than 50,000 owners and gathered the data from January to April 2007. Among the tested vehicle brands, Buick and Lexus scored a tie with only 145 PP100. This only shows that Lexus offers high quality auto parts like Lexus ball joints. Other brands like Cadillac, Mercury and Honda also performed well in the PP100 ranking.

"With three non-premium nameplates -- Buick, Honda and Mercury - ranking within the top five, and particularly with Buick tying with Lexus for the top rank, consumers seeking a vehicle with strong dependability have good choices at various price levels. Consumers don't necessarily need to pay premium prices to obtain high quality and dependability." said Neal Oddes, director of product research and analysis for J.D. Power and Associates.

Oddes added: "Automakers may reap numerous benefits from producing dependable vehicles - not only in higher residual values, decreased warranty costs and opportunities for remarketing their vehicles, but also in higher customer satisfaction and increased likelihood of customers recommending or purchasing newer dependable models."This is why it is especially important for automakers to successfully launch new vehicle models with high initial quality and appeal -- models that perform well in these regards tend to exhibit particularly strong dependability later in their life cycle."

J.D. Power and Associates also ranked vehicle models for each segment. Toyota's Lexus brand dominated the list and earned five segment awards including the GS 300/GS430 (Midsize Premium Car), GX 470 (Midsize Premium MAV), LS 430 (Large Premium Car), LX 470, (Large Premium MAV) and the SC 430 for the Premium Sporty Car segment.

Toyota models also performed well in the segment awards. The Japanese automaker obtained four awards for the RAV 4 and Sequoia sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and Tacoma and Tundra pick up truck models. Other brands in the list that earned segment award include Ford, Honda Oldsmobile, Buick, Chevrolet, Infiniti, Mazda and Scion.

Oddes concluded: "As owners experience vehicle problems -- particularly ones that require components to be replaced -- they are less likely to repurchase or recommend their current model. Automakers can improve upon customer loyalty by working closely with their component suppliers to monitor quality, since failure of a component ultimately reflects upon the quality of the vehicle brand in the minds of consumers."

Lexus to Launch New Version of RX 400h SR

2007-08-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

Lexus, the producer of Lexus brake dust shields, is planning to expand it Lexus range with the addition of a new version of the RX 400h SR. This new addition to the Lexus range will offer the usual high Lexus specification plus something more---options for both multimedia and entertainment systems.

Two years ago Lexus launched a model that has become a pioneer of hybrid power in the premium SUV market---the Lexus RX 400h. Since its introduction it has enjoyed tremendous popularity accounting for almost two-thirds of the total RX sales in 2006.

The presently sold RX 400h SR was positioned by Lexus in between the standard RX 400h and the RX 400h SE. The SR also possess RX standard features such as leather upholstery, eight-way electric front seat adjustment, heated front seats, a 40:20:40 split folding rear seat and metallic paint. And since it possesses the Lexus Hybrid Drive technology customers can expect for high fuel efficiency, lower emissions without sacrificing power and performance.

The RX 400h SR can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in matter of 7.6 seconds with a fuel consumption of 34.9 mpg in a combined driving cycle, emitting 192g/km of carbon dioxide.

The Lexus Multimedia system is offered as an option for the RX 400h SR. This package includes:

* DVD satellite navigation with dynamic route guidance, * voice command control key audio, * navigation and communication functions, * Bluetooth connectivity, * an 11-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system with six-disc DVD autochanger and digital MP3/WMA file recognition, * Park Assist Monitor * Electro Multi-Vision VCA screen

There is also in-car entertainment or ICE package with twin headrest mounted screens and infra-red headphones for rear seat passengers to enable them to see movies or play computer games while on the move. This special entertainment package is perfect for families with kids who love to go on long road trips.

The RX 400h SR is offered in Platinum Ice or Astral Black metallic finish complemented by a grey or black interior. The SR also comes with a class-leading 16E insurance group with prices starting £37,500.

Pricing for Lexus RX 400h SR

Model - OTR Price

RX 400h SR - £37,500 RX 400h SR with ICE - £39,700 RX 400h SR with Multimedia - £40,745 RX 400h SR with ICE and Multimedia - £42,945

Details on the Lexus RX 400h SR

TECHNICAL

Body: 4 X 4 Engine: 3311 Fuel: U/E Transmission: E-CVT Power: 208@5600 Torque, lb ft: 212@4400 Driven Wheels: 4

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 2720 Length, mm: 4750 Width, mm: 184 Height, mm: 1720 Fuel Tank, litres: 65 Kerb Weight, kg: 2040 Gross Weight, kg: 2505 Towing Limits, kg: 2000

PERFORMANCE

Manual Automatic Top speed: 124 mph 0-62 mph: 7.6 seconds Fuel consumption: 34.9 mpg (combined cycle)

RUNNING COSTS

Service Interval: 10000 Warranty: 3 years, 60000 miles

Volvo's New S60 to Compete with BMW and Audi

2007-08-13T02:13:00.002-07:00

Volvo is planning to further enhance its model range with a new S60 saloon. The new saloon will be matched with BMW's 3-Series and Audi's A4. Aside from a S60 saloon, Volvo is also planning a new S40 hatchback which they plan of introducing in 2009 to 2010.

The new S60 Saloon will utilize the joint Ford/Volvo technology that supports the Mondeo and the S80.

It can be remembered that last year Volvo struggled in managing its overlapping of saloons namely the S40, S60, and S80. The problem faced by the Swedish carmaker was grave that it was near to squeezing out the S60 off the market completely.

Fortunately Volvo was not easily daunted and instead chooses to keep the S60 in its range to replace the current model hopefully in later part of 2009. The automaker also plans of replacing the S40 by 2010 instead of turning it into a four-door saloon it will be made into a five-door hatchback to compete with Audi's A3 and BMW 1-Series. The S40 name will also be changed to V30.

In addition since Volvo wants for its new S60 to compete with BMW 3-Series and Audi A4, it has to expand its external dimensions since the two models from Germany have also increased their sizes to match that of the presently offered S60.

Volvo's new S60 will sport a slightly longer wheelbase but to compete head on with the German pair, the Swedish automaker would have to do more with the S60 and that includes giving it with a much better styling that would still accommodate useful car accessories such as Lebra car bra, exceptional interior quality and of course an improved ride and handling.

It is no secret that finances in Ford is tight right now which means that Volvo engineers have to be more creative than usual on how they would come up with the needed chassis for the new S60.

The solution that they come up is to use engines derived from the Volvo-Ford parts bin. To compete with BMW and Audi, Volvo engineers would employ a 2.0 liter four-cylinder diesel and a powerful 2.2 liter diesel. To compete with the two German's six-cylinder diesels, Volvo will use its D5 family of five-pot oil burners. The Swedish carmaker will also make use of a turbocharged petrol engine with a 1.6 liter capacity that can produce the same power as 2.0 liter petrol but with better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

Nissan Produces 3 Million Altimas in the US

2007-08-13T02:13:00.001-07:00

Nissan released the first Altima in 1993 and has since sold millions of the sedan in the market. The Altima already has four generations made within 1993-1997, 1998-2001, 2002-2006, and 2007-present. Since the production of the midsize vehicle was relocated to its North American plant, and after 15 years of being in the US car market, Nissan North America has already produced 3 million Altima cars.

U.S. Manufacturing senior vice president Greg Daniels said, "The Altima plays an important role in Nissan's lineup, and we put a lot of discipline and skill into building each one. The Altima provides our customers a lot of value for the money, and we're committed to providing them with a high level of quality as well."

There are two Nissan Assembly plants in North America. These are Smyrna, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi. The Smyrna was able to produce a total amount of 750 Altima cars up to this day. The Canton Plant also shared 600 cars. The Smyrna plant in Tennessee is known makers of the Nissan Maxima sedan, the Nissan Xterra SUV, the Nissan Pathfinder and the Nissan Frontier truck, while the Canton plant in Mississippi also makes the Nissan Armada full- size SUV, the Nissan Titan full-size trucks, the Nissan Quest minivans and the Infiniti QX56 full-size luxury SUV. Other Nissan car parts like lower air dam are also manufactured on some plants in North America.

Canada, Mexico and other countries around the US are also receiving Altima car made in its Smyrna Plant. The plant already produced an estimated amount of 20,000 Altimas this year. All these cars are distributed in the local market as well as to the other countries near North America.

Nissan Altima Sedan was one among the best selling Japanese car models in the US car market. Currently, Nissan Altima includes two new car types in its line up: the all-new 2008 Altima Coupe and the Altima Hybrid Electric Vehicle. The 2008 all-new Altima features new design and trimmings and was based on the D platform with the award winning engine part, the VQ-series 3.5L V6. The 2.5L 4-cylinder is also a standard for the new version. Matched with a 6-speed manual, the Nissan Altima also received the advanced Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) (TM).

In July 23 this year, the Japanese car maker passed another milestone, having produced 9 million cars since they started making Nissan cars for the US car market in 1983. To be exact, Nissan has already produced 9.02 million cars in the past 24 years.

Saab's Super SUV to be released in the US

2007-08-10T22:57:00.001-07:00

Saab, producer of high quality Saab fuel filter and the Swedish-based subsidiary of General Motors will soon release its Super Saab SUV which is designed for petrol lovers in the third quarter of 2007 in US. The limited edition Aero performance version of the 9-7x is further enhanced with the addition of a 6.0 liter V8 engine and 20 inch wheels and tires.

Saab's Super SUV is also easy to spot since it wears a unique paint that is distinctly its own---a charcoal metallic paint called the Carbon Flash Metallic. Another distinct feature of the 9-7x Aero are its 20 inch polished, aluminum wheels that wrapped with P255/50R20 V-speed-rated performance tires.

To accentuate the classy interior are Aero embroidered leather seats and embossed floor mats. At the core of the 9-7x Aero is the LS2 6.0 liter V8 with cold air induction package that revs up 295kW at 6,000 rpm and 542Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. This Super SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in under six seconds.

The LS2 6.0 liter is derived on the small-block V8 architecture and produces down-low torque for maximum performance. Torque is natural to the engine's cam-in-block design with 101, 6mm-diameter bores and a 92mm stroke. Quick Response is attributed to the electronically controlled throttle.

One of the unique features of the engine of the 9-7x Aero's version is its composite intake manifold which aid in producing balanced of torque and horsepower. The maximum towing capacity of the 9-7x Aero model is 2994kg. Its lower chassis is designed to provide a more responsive handling while its corner control and body roll control are further reinforced with front stabilizer bars that are almost 10 percent larger in diameter. For extra strength and stability a heavy-duty rear axle with limited slip differential is added.

A four-wheel disc braking system that is enhanced with larger 12.8-inch front disc rotors and iron-twin piston calipers put the brakes on the powerful 9-7x Aero. Likewise, stiff heavy-duty iron calipers that retain their shapes even under high-pressure/high-heat braking conditions helps to provide a more linear feel as well as lessen pedal travel especially in high-energy stops. The brake pads also employ high-performance linings to achieve a strong fade resistance.

All 9-7x models are to equipped with standard ABS, automatic all-wheel-drive, and the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system.

The StabiliTrak electronic stability control system is an active system that makes use of a Torsen center differential that splits the torque between the front and the rear wheels. It may also be considered as a torque-bias system that senses low traction at one axle and the channel more torque to the other when necessary.

Ford's Disposal of Aston Martin now complete

2007-08-10T01:32:00.000-07:00

Aston Martin is the sleek sports car popular for starring in the action block buster James Bond franchise. The sexy silvery gray Aston Martin DBS for instance, was the James Bond car in the 2006 movie, Casino Royale. Although Aston Martin wowed all of us being James Bond's car, it didn't hit the blockbuster in the car market like the movie did. In August 2006, Bill Ford, who handed the reins over to Mulally last year, put Aston Martin up for sale, saying the money-losing brand may be "an attractive opportunity to raise capital and generate value."

Ford Motor Company succeeded in selling the Aston Martin Division last March, when the deal was made to a consortium of big time investors lead by racing executive Dave Richards. The group also included John Sinders, a famous Aston Martin collector and two other Kuwaiti firms of Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Co.

"The deal gets Ford liquidity it desperately needs to help restore its higher-volume product lines, and it leaves Aston Martin in good hands, as well." Dave Healy, an analyst at Burnham Securities was quoted as saying before the Dearborn automaker put its luxury brand up for sale.

In a statement before the sale, Ford CEO and President Allan Mullaly said, "The sale of Aston Martin supports the key objectives of the company, to restructure to operate profitably at lower volumes and changed model mix and to speed the development of new products,"

Ford announced in March that it would receive $848 million and retain a $77 million stake in Aston Martin.

The transaction of the maker of the Aston Martin catalytic converter was completed in the second quarter of this year. Becky Sanch, Ford spokeswoman confirmed that they have not completely given away the sports car division because the automaker retained a stake by receiving preferred stock from Primrose Cove Ltd., the holding company of the group that acquired Aston Martin. On Tuesday Ford received $931 million in cash and preferred stock for its sale of a controlling stake in the popular luxury brand.

Ford's Jaguar and Rover divisions, also part of the Ford Premier Auto Group are also being prepared for disposal as Ford continues on its plan to bounce back from its recent financial troubles.