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Saturday, January 9, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Honda CR-Z Hybrid Sports Car 2010
The Toyota Prius is such an iconic car that many people believe Toyota was the first company to come out with production hybrids. It was not. Honda was the first, but miscalculated the market and missed out on a huge opportunity. The announcement that the company will be introducing a hybrid sports car, the CR-Z, to the US market in the fall of 2010 is an effort to right that wrong.
The CR-Z is nothing less than a full frontal assault on the hybrid market in the United States. The car is a two-seater that is rumored to incorporate an integrated motor assist system that incorporates a 1.3 liter engine. The CR-Z, which stands for Compact Renaissance Zero, gets its sportiness from both the design and the fact that it is expected to be very light weight.
The initial prototype of the vehicle was shown at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show. It incorporates a longer nose with sleek, banked styling that runs to a higher end, flat rear. If I had to compare it to any other car, it looks like a revved up Honda Insight although with very distinct lines. You can look up images online from the show to see it.
The real beauty of the CR-Z is found in an area that is rarely available in a new, revolutionary sporty car. Yes, I am talking about the price. All indications are Honda is trying to bring this car in to wipe up the market. The proposed retail price is a paltry $20,000. This is the equivalent of a Prius, but with much better lines and performance. Well, at least we think better performance. Honda has released no information on just how sporty the performance will be. Still, one has to imagine it will be better than your average hybrid.
The age of hybrids is in full bloom. The Honda CR-Z seems to fill a niche that has demand these days. With a price in the $20,000 range, it may be a huge hit.
Dirk Gibson is with DCJAutoParts.com - your online clearing house for low prices on aftermarket car parts and accessories.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dirk_Gibson
The Smart Girls' Guide to Buying a Car
Buying a new car, or a car that’s new to you, can be a minefield. Women are traditionally vulnerable to con men when buying cars, taking their cars for a service or anything else related to motoring for that matter. Although we’d like to think that times have changed, and in the most part they have, there are still car sales people waiting for an innocent looking female to trot through the door. This applies to men too, so don’t be offended! At CoverGirl Car Insurance we want you to get the best deal, cheap insurance and above all a great car. So, we’ve compiled a concise guide to what can be one of the most expensive purchases you’ll have to make.
The first thing you will need to do is decide whether you want a new or used car. You probably have a make and model in mind already, so it’s best to do as much research into the car as possible. You can look in trade guides and on the internet to get some ideas about the production and engineering of your desired car. If you go to the dealer armed with this information then you will know what to look for and will know about any parts of the car that are particularly expensive to replace. Whilst doing your research you could also look out for any common problems with your car. For example certain vehicles have notoriously bad electrics and you could be left having to pay a large bill to have them repaired.
So what’s the best bet, new or used?
Buying a new car
Buying a new car gives you the peace of mind that your car hasn’t been rescued from an accident and ‘cut and shut’ (more about this later). Plus you don’t have to worry about service history and recurring problems.
If you decide to buy a new car then you have three options. You can either buy from dealership, from a broker or by personal import from Europe. There are pros and cons to each option so you should look carefully at each to decide what’s best for you. The benefits and pitfalls of each are as follows:
Dealership: Many dealers offer cheap finance schemes with frequent special offers, you can take the car for a test drive and you also may be able trade in your existing car. This is often a more expensive option so it’s worth looking around.
Broker: It is often cheaper to buy through a broker and relatively easy to organise. You may not be able trade your car in.
Personal imports from Europe: Cheaper in the majority of cases. However this is not the easiest way to buy a car. You’ll have to put in quite a bit of work.
What to check when you collect your car
We advise that you check your new car over before you drive off the forecourt. There are a few key things to check:
• That you’ve got a copy of the dealers pre-delivery inspection form
• Check that all lights, electrics, sound systems, alarms, door locks and windscreen wipers work
• Check for any scratches and check that there is no damage to the interior
• Check you’ve got the spare tyre and any tools that are supposed to come with the car
• Make sure you’ve got the manual and service book
Buying a used car
When you buy a used car there are a few more pitfalls to look out for but you can bag yourself a bargain if you look in the right place. It can also be great fun deciding whether you want a sexy classic like an Alfa Romeo Spider or a bargain run-around like a Ford Ka. Whether you chose to buy from a dealer or from the private market you’ll need see the history of the car. This is really important. You can either buy from a franchised dealer, a used car dealer or privately. Here are some of the pros of buying from each:
Franchised dealer: One of the safest places to buy a car. You’ll get a great choice from a franchise. You can get used or nearly new cars. A franchised dealership also might know the entire history of the car. They will also provide you with a warranty, so if anything goes wrong you can take it back and they will fix it.
Used car dealer: They will usually have checked that there is no bad history or outstanding finance. Most dealers have an excellent reputation but you should exercise some caution and again, do your own research about the type of car you’ve chosen. You will usually get at least a 3 month warranty from a used car dealer. But check to see what it covers. Service items like tyres, exhausts and brake pads are not usually covered.
Private purchase: Best place for an excellent bargain. This is the riskiest way to buy a car as the car could have been involved in an accident, and might not belong to the seller. You should ask to meet at the sellers’ home or work and ask the following questions:
1. Is it your car?
2. Has the car ever been in an accident?
3. Can I have a signed receipt?
‘Cut and shut’, counterfeit parts, car ringing and clocking
Unfortunately there are many unscrupulous people out there wanting to make a buck out of the innocent car buyer. Some of the tactics undertaken by an unethical minority leave drivers with dangerous, illegal and unreliable cars. Many cars are stolen and sold on or taken from accidents and patched up to look like new. The following are some ploys that con men use to cheat the buyer:
‘Cut and Shut’
This is when two cars are taken from a scrap yard after write off accidents and welded together. This is extremely dangerous and potentially difficult to spot. Look for mismatched panels, traces of paint on window seals and door handles, mismatched upholstery and signs of serious repair work. It is very difficult to spot a cut and shut but it’s worth a closer inspection in case the person who carried out the work has cut corners.
Counterfeit parts
These are fraudulent copies of genuine manufacturer branded components. They are intended to deceive motorists and can be incredibly realistic. They are however not intended to be safe. Their makers don’t care about the potential safety threat to future drivers. They have started to make fake brake pads, discs and steering linkages. All of these could cause fatal accidents if they go wrong. You probably won’t have the opportunity to check parts before they are fitted to your new car, but it is something you should be aware of when buying a second hand vehicle.
‘Car ringing’
This is where a stolen car has its identification number changed. The vehicle identification number is taken from vehicles that have been written off in an accident. By forging these details thieves can pass off stolen cars as the genuine article to innocent car buyers. Once you’ve paid for a ‘ringer’, it’s too late. It does not belong to you and if it is traced it will be returned to the original owner, so you will lose out considerably. You can look out for this by checking all documents to see if they look forged. If there is little or no paperwork you should also be suspicious.
‘Car clocking’
This is when the car’s odometer is reduced to make it look as if the car has not done as many miles as it has. This makes cars look more valuable than they are. If the mileage of a car looks suspiciously low you should look for other tell tale signs such as wear and tear to the pedal rubbers and seats.
All of the above are seriously detrimental to the buyer and will leave you with a stolen, dangerous or faulty vehicle. If you have any doubts it is advisable to get an independent vehicle inspector to check the car before you buy it. This will avoid any potential fraud and will eliminate the risk to you.
Good luck!
Buying a car should be fun. You could end up with the car of your dreams - if you follow our guide. It really is worth checking for any discrepancies before you make the purchase. There are many ways to check the history and safety of the car so it’s easy to do and worth it in the long term.
Once you’ve bought your car you’ll need to insure it. Visit CoverGirl Car Insurance http://www.covergirlcarinsurance.co.uk 0800 195 48 52 to get car insurance exclusively for women.
Editorial notes: CoverGirl provide cheap car insurance for women. Great value quotes are available online at http://www.covergirlcarinsurance.co.uk
By Sophie Evans
CoverGirl Car Insurance http://www.covergirlcarinsurance.co.uk
0800 195 48 52
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sophie_Evans
The Best Chevrolet Volt Concept CAR Gallery
The latest word from General Motors is the Chevrolet Volt will cost about $35,000 when it arrives in showrooms at the end of 2010, about five grand more than the company had hoped.
GM says problems designing accessories like windshield wipers and an audio system that won't drain the Volt's batteries have forced its engineers to design expensive "redundant systems" that are driving up costs.
"It's starting to look like it's going to be closer to $35,000," GM spokesman Dee Allen told us, confirming a report by Canwest News. "We had set a target of $30,000, but if it comes in closer to $35,000 and it means meeting the 2010 deadline, that's the direction we're going to go."
GM product boss Bob Lutz told us last month that the Volt would probably cost more than the $30,000 GM had targeted and said the accessory systems are one of the biggest challenges. So what's the problem? And have you seen that bizarre TV ad for the Volt?
GM says the Volt's lithium-ion batteries will provide a range of 40 miles and a one-liter engine will power a generator that will keep the vehicle going beyond that. In most cars, accessories like windshield wipers, air conditioning and the stereo are powered by the battery, which is recharged by the engine through the alternator, or directly by the engine. But the Volt doesn't have an alternator, and it has something draining the batteries other cars don't - the wheels. They need all the juice they can get.
"You really start taking away from the range when you're using 10-speaker audio systems, wipers," Allen says. "These systems need to be redone, and they are being redone."
GM has no doubt it will solve the problem, but not in time to meet the 2010 deadline. The first-generation Volts will have workarounds GM called "redundant systems." Allen couldn't tell us anything more about that, but said second-generation Volts will be "more refined."
GM says problems designing accessories like windshield wipers and an audio system that won't drain the Volt's batteries have forced its engineers to design expensive "redundant systems" that are driving up costs.
"It's starting to look like it's going to be closer to $35,000," GM spokesman Dee Allen told us, confirming a report by Canwest News. "We had set a target of $30,000, but if it comes in closer to $35,000 and it means meeting the 2010 deadline, that's the direction we're going to go."GM product boss Bob Lutz told us last month that the Volt would probably cost more than the $30,000 GM had targeted and said the accessory systems are one of the biggest challenges. So what's the problem? And have you seen that bizarre TV ad for the Volt?
GM says the Volt's lithium-ion batteries will provide a range of 40 miles and a one-liter engine will power a generator that will keep the vehicle going beyond that. In most cars, accessories like windshield wipers, air conditioning and the stereo are powered by the battery, which is recharged by the engine through the alternator, or directly by the engine. But the Volt doesn't have an alternator, and it has something draining the batteries other cars don't - the wheels. They need all the juice they can get.
"You really start taking away from the range when you're using 10-speaker audio systems, wipers," Allen says. "These systems need to be redone, and they are being redone."
GM has no doubt it will solve the problem, but not in time to meet the 2010 deadline. The first-generation Volts will have workarounds GM called "redundant systems." Allen couldn't tell us anything more about that, but said second-generation Volts will be "more refined."
MERCEDES BENZ SLR MCLAREN Photos
Specifications
Brakes & Tires
Brakes F/R:ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive
Tires F-R:255/35 R19 - 295/30 ZR19
Engine
Displacement cu in (cc):332 (5439)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 617(460) / 6500
Redline at RPM:7000
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM:75(778) / 3250-5000
Type:V8, Supercharged
Exterior Dimensions & Weight
Length × Width × Height in:183.3 × 75.1 × 49.6
Weight lb (kg):3897 (1768)
Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph s: 3.8
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km):13/18 (14.8)
Top Speed mph (km/h):207 (334)
LAMBORGHINI
FEATURES
Transmission
* 6-Speed Manual Transmission With Overdrive and Floor Mounted Shifter
Steering
* Power Rack and Pinion Steering
* Tilt Steering Column
* Telescopic Steering Column
Suspension
* Adaptive Variable Suspension
* Independent Double Wishbone Front Suspension With Coil Springs and Koni(R) Shock Absorbers
* Independent Double Wishbone Rear Suspension With Coil Springs and Koni(R) Shock Absorbers
* Rear Stabilizer Bar
Electrical
* Battery
* Front Power Outlet
* Drive-By-Wire Control For Throttle
* Navigation Pre-Wiring
Braking & Traction
* 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
* Brembo(R) Front Power 365-mm X 34-mm Ventilated Disc and Rear Power 335-mm X 32-mm Ventilated Disc Brakes
* Electronic Brake Force Distribution
* Traction Control Controlled By Engine Management
* Vehicle Stability Control System
* Full-Time 4-Wheel Drive
* Front and Rear Limited Slip Differentials
Safety
* Front Outboard 3-Point Seatbelts
* Front Side Airbags With Head Protection
* Trunk Anti-Trap Device
* Automatic Safety Rollbar
* Driver Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment
* Passenger Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment
* Rollover Sensor
* Side Guard Door Beams
Anti-Theft & Locks
* Power Door Locks With Automatic Locking
Remote Controls & Remote Releases
* Keyless Entry Operated Via Key Fob
* Remote Decklid Release Located Inside Vehicle
Seats
* Front Dual Reclining Bucket Seats
* Front Dual Manual Lumbar Support
* Driver Power Seat
* Leather Seats
* Front Passenger Power Seat
Storage
* Dual Door Mounted Storage
* Lockable Glovebox
* Lower Console Storage
Instrumentation
* Digital Clock
* Oil Gauge
* Exterior Temperature Gauge
* Tachometer
* Battery Gauge
Interior Lighting
* Interior Load Area Light
Exterior Lighting
* Bi-Xenon High Intensity Discharge Headlights
Entertainment, Communication & Navigation
* Radio Data System
* In-Glass Radio Antenna
* AM/FM Radio With 4 Speakers Total; 6-Disc CD Changer; MP3 Player
Sunroof/Moonroof & Removable/Convertible Top
* Power Soft Convertible Top
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
* Automatic Climate Control With Solar Sensor
* Separate Driver/Front Passenger Climate Controls
Interior, Design, Decor & Floor Covering
* Carpet Located In Passenger Cabin and Cargo Area
* Leather Steering Wheel
Wheels & Tires
* Front SBRP235/35ZR19 and Rear SBRP295/30ZR19 Pirelli P Zero Rosso Summer Tires
* Alloy Wheels, Front 19-In. X 8.5-In. and Rear 19-In. X 11-In.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
* Tinted Glass
* Glass Rear Window On Convertible
* Dual Body Color Power Folding Power Adjustable Heated Exterior Rearview Mirrors
* Electrochromic Interior Rearview Mirror
* Power Windows
* Rear Window Defroster
* Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Exterior, Design, Paint & Finish
* Front and Rear Body Color Bumpers
* Body Color Retractable Rear Spoiler
* Wind Deflector For Convertibles
* Front Air Dam
* Dual Chrome Exhaust Tips
2011 BMW 5-Series Car Gallery
2011 BMW 5-Series Front Angle View
2011 BMW 5-Series Wallpaper 
2011 BMW 5-Series Side View
2011 BMW 5-Series Interior
2011 BMW 5-Series Photo
2011 BMW 5-Series Rear Angle View
2011 BMW 5-Series Test RoadTuesday, January 5, 2010
New Acura TL Luxury Sedan
The Acura TL achievement affluence auto was alien in 1995 with a second-generation archetypal debuting in 1999. For 2004, an all-new absolutely redesigned TL went on auction with added power, an array of advance technology and an exoteric architecture that is taut, able-bodied and powerful. Enthusiast drivers acknowledge the TL for its aerial activating capabilities-the 2005 TL is a accurate driver's car that competes adjoin the best near-luxury sedans.
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