2004 Koenigsegg CCR
The Swedish Koenigsegg supercar is the second most powerful series-produced car today.
Koenigsegg CCR has a very powerful engine thanks to the Swedish Lysholm twin-screw compressor and a new exhaust system made of titanium.
This takes the engine’s power output to the extreme peak value of 806 hp at 6.900 rpm. The torque curve also shows high values over a broad revolution band with a peak value of 920 Nm (678 ftlb) at 5.700 rpm.

General Info
Price: N/A
Main dimensions (L x W x H): N/A
Curb Weight: 2595 lbs
Layout: Mid-Engine/RWD
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual

Engine
Type: Supercharged V8
Displacement: 4700 cc
Horsepower: 806 bhp @ 6900 rpm
Torque: 678 lb-ft @ 5700 rpm
Redline: 7600 rpm

Performance
0-60 mph: 3.2 sec
0-100 mph: 7.9 sec
Top Speed: 242 mph
Miles Per Gallon: 11 mpg

1950 Chevrolet Car Facts

The 1950 Chevrolet car was the most popular vehicle in America, with more than 1 million cars and trucks sold. The model year was record-setting for sales as the automotive industry was in full swing after civilian production had gone on hiatus during World War II. It took nearly five years for full production to resume before new steel manufacturing restrictions for civilian purposes were put in place during the Korean War in 1950.

Types
Chevrolet produced several different models for 1950 in four body styles: the fastback Fleetline--which began losing popularity due to its perceived dated looks--the notchback Styleline, the convertible and the station wagon. These models were offered in Special or DeLuxe trim levels. Model names were the Fleetline DeLuxe and Special, the Styleline DeLuxe and Special, the Bel Air, the Sport Coupe and the Business Coupe.

Features
The DeLuxe models featured stainless steel side trim with "DeLuxe" scripted on the front fenders. The models also were equipped with chrome gravel guards on the rear fenders and stainless steel moldings around the windshield and rear window. The lower trim level Special had stainless steel molding only around the windows. Optional equipment for all models included wheel trim rings, locking gas filler cap, rear fender skirts, glove compartment lamp, fog lamps, back-up lights, tail pipe extension and other amenitie.

Engine and Specifications
Customers had a choice of two six-cylinder engines: the 90-horsepower 216.5-cubic-inch six or the 105-horsepower 235-cubic-inch six. A three-speed manual transmission was standard equipment. A two-speed Powerglide automatic was available for an extra $159 on the Bel Air, convertible and DeLuxe models. The sedans and coupes sat on a 115-inch wheelbase and measured 197.5 inches long.

Safety
In an era when there were no government-mandated safety features or crash testing, automakers, including Chevrolet, did little to provide safety equipment. However, some minor safety features were offered. All Chevys featured a "Safety-Sight" curve instrument panel in which the gauges were grouped in a pair of circular non-glare lighted clusters. "Jumbo-Drum" brakes were marketed as requiring 25 percent less brake pedal pressure to stop due to the larger-size drums. Seat belts were not offered.

Production
The 1950 four-door Fleetline DeLuxe cost $1,529 and 124,287 were produced. Nearly 190,000 two-door sedans were manufactured. Only 32,810 convertibles were sold. Sales of business coupes, which were used primarily by traveling salesmen who converted the rear seat for extra storage, numbered 21,000. Nearly 167,000 $2,000 DeLuxe station wagons were produced. The Sports Coupe, which sold for $1,408, had 28,328 units produced. More than 76,000 Bel Airs were sold. And 248,567 Stylelines were sold.

2010 Porsche 911 GT3

For me, the 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 was something divine, an achievement as brilliant as the neon color palette the company reserves for its uber-special models. For Porsche engineers, it served as a decent starting point for an even more brilliant new car.

The 2010 911 GT3 is not an all-new vehicle, but rather a comprehensive amelioration of the previous model. For starters, the already potent 3.6-liter flat-6 was torn down and bored out to 3.8 liters, then reassembled with lighter moving internals. This allows for higher operating speeds — 8500 rpm to be exact. Porsche's latest VarioCam system infinitely varies intake and exhaust timing for cleaner emissions and improved power characteristics. The result is an increased maximum output of 435 bhp at 7600 rpm and 317 lb.-ft. of torque at 6250 rpm, up from the previous model's 415 bhp and 300 lb.-ft.

The newly designed 3-spoke steering wheel is wrapped in grip-friendly Alcantara. And as in the previous car, rowing through gearbox takes more effort than any car that comes to memory — 22 percent shortened throws and extra robust steel synchronizers will do that to a transmission. Still, the solid and precise linkage means satisfyingly positive gear engagement.

Once again, the GT3's fully adjustable suspension benefits from Porsche's Active Suspension Management (PASM), but with stiffened springs and redesigned anti-roll bars (30 percent stiffer rear, 30 percent softer front). The suspension still remains nicely composed and livable on the street (in the normal setting), even with the changes Porsche made to gain 5 seconds on the previous car's record around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Aiding livability further is a new optional hydraulic air lift system that gives you an additional 1.2 in. of ground clearance — à la Lamborghini — at the touch of a button to protect the ultra-low front splitter on steep driveways.

When presented with an exceptionally straight and empty stretch of Swabian tarmac, I helped myself to a couple standing-start acceleration passes. Porsche Stability Management (PSM) can now be defeated in separate stages as in GT2 (stability off/traction on, or stability/traction off). With all systems off, a 6000-rpm launch yielded the inherent Porsche axle hop (though attenuated to some degree by the new active magnetorheological... engine mounts) followed by bat-out-of-hell forward thrust. In just over a quarter mile, the GT3 had already reached 130 mph, at which point I had no trouble bringing it back down to safer speeds with the larger new brakes (15.0-in. front, 13.8-in. rear). Porsche estimates 0–60 mph acceleration of about 4 seconds; we're predicting it'll likely be better than that.

The 2010 GT3 goes on sale in May in Europe, and will make its way to the U.S. sometime this fall at a starting price of $112,200.

Tata Nano Car: World’s Cheapest Car

In the world of Automobile, Tata Group’s again set a benchmark by made the car name TATA NANO, The world’s cheapest car of rupees 1 lacs. Tata Motors nano gave a very stout example in front of their competitors. However, as the expectations from the Indian middle classes soared, the opinions resonated with global sentiments on the need for an affordable car that would carry the common people. The light has ultimately shone with Tata Motors realizing the dream into reality.

Tata Motors unveiled the Tata Nano, the cheapest car in the world at the Delhi Auto Expo its price is only Rs. 1 Lacs so peoples are calling it Rs. 1 lacs car, which was held recently in the Indian Capital city. There were mixed reactions among the global manufacturers with some looking at it with envy and some dismissing it to be yet another gimmick only to say, "Let's see how long it lasts". International Automobile giant Volkswagen was all praises for the car. All emotions taken into account, it was a red-letter day for Tata Motors nano, which entered the annals of history for having released the world's cheapest car.
The Tata Nano Car is also much lighter than comparable models as a result of efforts to reduce the amount of steel in the car (including the use of an aluminum engine) and the use of lightweight steel where possible. The car currently meets all Indian emission, pollution, and safety standards, though it only attains a maximum speed of about 65 mph. The fuel efficiency is attractive - 50 miles to the gallon.
Hearing all this, many Western executives doubt that this new car represents real innovation. Too often, when they think of innovation, they focus on product innovation using breakthrough technologies; often, specifically, on patents.
Measuring progress solely by nano Tata patent creation misses a key dimension of innovation: Some of the most valuable innovations take existing, patented components and remix them in ways that more effectively serve the needs of large numbers of customers.

Ford Motor Company

The Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is an American multinational corporation based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury brands, Ford also owns Volvo Cars in Sweden, and a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK. Ford's former UK subsidiaries Jaguar and Land Rover were sold to Tata Motors of India in March 2008. Ford has agreed to sell Volvo to Geely Automobile in a deal expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2010. On June 2, 2010, Ford announced that it would discontinue the Mercury brand in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Ford introduced methods for large-scale manufacturing of cars and large-scale management of an industrial workforce using elaborately engineered manufacturing sequences typified by moving assembly lines. Henry Ford's methods came to be known around the world as Fordism by 1914.

Ford is currently the second largest automaker in the U.S. and the fourth-largest in the world based on number of vehicles sold annually, directly behind Volkswagen. In 2007, Ford fell from second to third in US annual vehicle sales for the first time in 56 years, behind only General Motors and Toyota. However, Ford occasionally outsells Toyota in shorter periods (most recently, during the summer months of 2009). By the end of 2009, Ford was the third largest automaker in Europe (behind Volkswagen and PSA Peugeot Citroën). Ford is the seventh-ranked overall American-based company in the 2008 Fortune 500 list, based on global revenues in 2008 of $146.3 billion. In 2008, Ford produced 5.532 million automobiles and employed about 213,000 employees at around 90 plants and facilities worldwide. During the automotive crisis, Ford's worldwide unit volume dropped to 4.817 million in 2009. Despite the adverse conditions, Ford ended 2009 with a net profit of $2.7 billion. Starting in 2007, Ford received more initial quality survey awards from J. D. Power and Associates than any other automaker. Five of Ford's vehicles ranked at the top of their categories and fourteen vehicles ranked in the top three.

Lamborghini

Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini (pronounced [lamborˈɡini]), is an Italian automaker based in the small township of Sant'Agata Bolognese. The company was founded in 1963 by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini, who set out to create a refined grand touring car.

The company's first offerings, the 350GT and 400GT, were noted for their refinement, power, and comfort. Lamborghini gained wide acclaim in 1966 for the Miura sports coupé, which established mid-engine design as the standard layout for high-performance cars of the era. After a decade of rapid growth, hard times befell the company in the mid-1970s, as sales plunged in the wake of the 1973 world financial downturn and oil crisis. After a bankruptcy and three changes in ownership, Lamborghini came under the corporate umbrella of the Chrysler Corporation. The American company failed to return the automaker to profitability and sold it to Indonesian interests in 1994. Lamborghini's lack of success continued through the 1990s, until the company was sold in 1998 to AUDI AG, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, a German automotive concern. Audi's ownership marked the beginning of a period of stability and increased productivity for Lamborghini, with sales increasing nearly tenfold over the course of the 2000s. A world financial crisis in the late 2000s saw Lamborghini's sales cut in half, leading CEO Stephen Winkelmann to predict continued poor sales for supercar makers.

Assembly of Lamborghini cars continues to take place at the automaker's ancestral home in Sant'Agata Bolognese, where engine and automobile production lines run side-by-side at the company's single factory. Each year, the facility produces less than 3,000 examples of the four models offered for sale, the V10-powered Gallardo coupé and roadster and the flagship V12-powered Murciélago coupé and roadster. The range is occasionally complemented by limited-edition variants of the four main models, such as the Reventón and a number of Superleggera trim packages.

Audi R8 (road car)

The Audi R8 (Typ 42) is a sports car with a longitudinally mounted mid-engine, and uses Audi's trademark quattro permanent four-wheel drive system. It was introduced by the German automaker AUDI AG, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, in 2006.

The car was exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured by AUDI AG's high performance private subsidiary company, quattro GmbH, and is similar to the Lamborghini Gallardo. The fundamental construction of the R8 is based on the Audi Space Frame, and uses an aluminium monocoque which is built around space frame principles. The car is built by quattro GmbH in a newly renovated factory at Audi's 'aluminium site' at Neckarsulm in Germany.

In 2005, Audi announced that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007, the Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car, appearing at the 2003 International Geneva Motor Show, and 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The R8 road car was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There was some confusion with the name, which the car shares with the 24 Hours of Le Mans winning R8 Le Mans Prototype (LMP). 6-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx described the R8 as "the best handling road car today".

The Audi R8 is used as a safety car in Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters and British Superbike Championship racing series.

Important Car Maintenance

It is always important to keep up to date on all of your maintenance requirements for your vehicle. There are lots of things you should do on a regular basis but luckily most of them are quick 5 minute jobs that are very easy to do. If you follow the list below you are sure to save hassle and pain later on as well as money by keeping your car at top health and performing these regular small and yet very important maintenance jobs.







Keep a Schedule - Always keep a schedule for maintenance jobs to hand. This way you won’t miss off anything important and most jobs only take a few minutes to do. It’s easy to forget to check up on your vehicle when you are busy, so keep a schedule.

Do your own oil change - Undertaking a regular oil change is very important maintenance for your car. Its easy and quick to undertake an oil change with your car so save time and money and complete one yourself.

Cool it! - Don’t let your car run at a high temperature. Check your coolant levels in the radiator and make sure to top it up when it’s low. This only takes a minute to do.

Spark Plugs - Your spark plug is essential to the smooth and efficient running of your vehicle but spark plugs run out every 10,000 miles approximately. Make sure you check them as appropriate and replace them at least every 10,000 miles. It’s a 15 minute job that will save you time, money and the environment.

Window Washer - Make sure you top up your washer fluid to help clean up your windows during the summer and keep them ice free in the winter. You will really appreciate doing this important regular maintenance when you really need those windows ice free!

Wheel Bolts - You should always perform regular checks on the tightness of lug bolts on your wheels. If your car has undergone any work make sure to check the lug bolts after 10 or 20 miles in order to ensure your car’s security. This is a vital check to ensuring your car is safe to use.

Safe Brakes - Brakes are one of the most important safety features of your vehicle so make sure you look after your brakes. Inspect your brakes at least twice every year for general wear and tear damage to avoid any brake failure disasters. This will not only save you money but it will also potentially save your life.

Getting the most for your Car

There are many tips for selling your car online and people tend to advocate many different methods. There are some tips that can be useful for you regardless of how you end up selling your vehicle. Follow these quick and easy steps and you will be sure to sell your car and get the best deal out of it.

1.Make sure everything is up to date. Having a very recent MOT done is much more attractive to buyers than having a car that has an MOT due. An upcoming MOT says to potential buyers “this car could fail and will cost you the MOT for it” where as a very recently done MOT says “this car is in perfect health and the MOT is going to last you”. You will find a recent Mot check will increase the interest in car and speed up the buying process overall.
2.Make use of the internet and add your car to a used car park listing online. Many used car park websites are absolutely free to advertise on so there are no extra marketing fees. You can also make sure your car is listed at the price you want for it and it costs you no extra to do so unlike with a printed newspaper advert or car magazine. You can list your car on the website and just wait for buyers to contact you. Best of all, this method is not only free it also lasts as long as you need it to.
3.Clean out the car and remove your personality! Selling cars is a similar process to selling a house. To get the best deals and most interest you need to make sure the car is clean both externally and internally as well as make sure you remove those CD’s, rugs and other odds and ends that can clutter up your car. Your car needs to be fresh, clean and roomy so people can easily imagine themselves with your car and their own clutter in it instead!
4.Get a window sign for your car. Make everyone aware that the hot little car driving in front of them is up for grabs by making a “For Sale” sign and putting it in your car window. This increases your advertising exposure and doesn’t cost you any extra.
5.Look online for a “wanted” section on a used car website. Some online websites offer a wanted section for potential buyers to post adverts for cars they want. Many people already have an idea as to what type of car they want so maybe there are people looking for your exact car already online? You may find that you don’t need to advertise at all because someone in your neighbourhood is already looking for your car

Buying a Convertible Car

Buying a convertible is typically a seasonal thing. Many people consider purchasing a convertible during the summer when the weather is hot and it’s not likely to rain when you have the top down. You can get some really cheap deals on convertibles during the winter months because many people want to give in their convertible when it gets colder and not many people will be considering a convertible car during winter. People may also be looking to rid themselves of the summer fling convertible and turn to a family car suitable for all seasons during the run up to Christmas so if a convertible is what you want wait a little longer until winter before purchasing.




The very best time to buy a convertible is January/February. These seasons are still mid winter so it’s very cold and convertibles are likely to be on the market. In addition to this many people will have little to no money for buying cars after Christmas so there will be plenty of cheap deals for you to choose from. If buying from a car dealership, the convertible will have been sitting there for some months during autumn and early winter so the car dealership will likely be more flexile with haggling in order to get the car sold quickly.
This means during January and February there are more chances of having some great convertible deals available and lots of convertible cars to choose from. People are much more likely to be more flexible with sale prices so you can get some great deals on a car very quickly.


In addition to this these months are not so far off from spring. Purchasing as early as December would mean waiting out the Christmas season with a summer loving vehicle. Purchasing late January to early February means you can start enjoying spring as soon as it hits without waiting too long. The only thing you need to watch out for is April showers whilst out and about. To avoid this unhappy dilemma, get into the habit of putting the top up whenever you leave the vehicle. This will also help keep your car more secure.
For waiting out the winter months, you can easily bulk up your car by making sure it has mats on the floor and a blanket on the back seat to keep everyone as cozy as possible when it is cold outside

Buying your First Car

If you are a first time car buyer there is no doubt you are keen and excited about your new found driving abilities. Now you have the license to allow you free domain over driving without the need for an adult driver passenger telling you what to do. Even though are al excited and ready to go there is still the little problem of actually getting the car to drive in the first place and they can be very expensive.

If you are buying your first car there are a few things you need to remember before you sign away on the dotted line.




•Budget everything - Cars are not just the sale sticker price you see on the car window. Even if you get a good car for a price you can easily pay in cash there are still lots of other costs to take into account such as road tax, petrol, maintenance and insurance costs. These are all compulsory things. Not having insurance, paying tax or even completing regular MOT checks is illegal.
•Shop Around - Remember to shop around for the best finance deals and take a good look into their policies. If you have a good credit rating then that should make things much easier for you when applying for a loan but you may need to look into other loans such as a secured car finance loan or no credit check loan if you have a bad or non existent credit rating. These loans are easier to get but come with certain drawbacks so research them thoroughly.
•Check out the insurance policy details - Many first time buyers will just go for the cheapest car insurance out there which often means getting car insurance with the bare minimum of policy inclusions, high policy excesses and only Third Party cover. TP cover means if you get into an accident you won’t have to pay out for the other car if it’s your fault but you will be left to pick up the pieces of your own car if it is your fault or a 50/50 claim. Some companies will also charge below average premiums only to implement a high policy excess on your cover. That means when you get into an accident you may find that you are faced with an excess that is out of your price range, and many garages will not repair the vehicle until the excess is paid in full. You may even find that the repair costs of your vehicle are less than your excess so you still have to pay for all the repairs and if the accident was your fault, you will still get a claim on your record which increases your premiums.

Maintaining Car Security

There are some quick and easy, car security tips that can help you maintain your car security at a high level and avoid unwanted guests helping themselves. When it comes to stopping thieves you can’t stop them yourself but you can slow them down and prevent them from making you their next victim. If you place enough deterrents in your vehicle they may think twice before attempting to steal your car or to steal from it. In order to successfully steal a car the thieves would ordinarily need the process to be very quick and simple. Making this time longer will be yet another deterrent for the potential thief.

Use Car Alarm Window Stickers - If the thief knows you have an alarm system in your vehicle the theft becomes much harder to carry out unnoticed and quickly. It’s not a good idea to advertise exactly what alarm you are using but make sure they know you are using one.

LED it up - Make sure the thief also knows that the alarm in your vehicle is currently active. This can be easily spotted by an easily visible active alarm LED light. The thief will notice there is an active alarm prior to damaging the vehicle so will not attempt to steal yours.

Show which vehicle it is - Make sure everyone knows which vehicle is making the noise generated by the alarm and attempted theft. Use bright lights that can be easily seen during the daytime so people know which car is being unlawfully entered.

Make them deaf - Make sure the interior audible alarm is something like a siren noise. It has to be as uncomfortable as possible so that the thief inside has a very nasty shock to the ears.

Thief 101 - One of the first things a thief will try to do before entering the vehicle is to disconnect the car battery in order to deactivate the alarm. Use a hidden battery that is separate from the car battery to power the car alarm.

They can’t turn back - Make sure the thief can’t use the car. Place a steering wheel lock or elephant lock on your steering wheel whenever the car is vacant so that they can’t turn the wheel to steal the car. This is just one more obstacle for the thief to have to get around when trying to steal the car.

Choosing a Family Car

If you are looking for a family car but don’t have a fortune to spend in the market then here are a few tips to help you when selecting your perfect family car.



•Reliability should be paramount for someone looking to buy a family car and spend under $3k (£2k). If you are looking for a family car you don’t want to be let down at the most inconvenient of moments. You need a car that will get you there without any breakdowns. Japanese manufacturers tend to produce reliable family cars and while they may not be the very best when it comes to style and grace they are cars you can trust with your family errands and outings.
•Try to find a car with a reasonable sized boot. As a family car it’s going to need a lot of spare room for toys, shopping bags and more as well as be big enough to fit in everyone’s bags when you go on holiday. The Nissan Primera is a good example of a reasonable medium sized family car with a great boot space.
•Popular family cars include Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra and Peugeot 406 cars which are all great medium family sized cars that are readily available. You won’t have difficulty finding one of these cars to buy at a reasonable price.
•Avoid cars like large saloons. These types of cars may be dirt cheap to buy but they come with terrible tacky interiors, ugly exteriors and to top it off they are horrible to drive too.
•Check for rust around the rear arches if you are selecting a family car that is second hand. Rust in this area can cause a car to fail its MOT.
•Try to get a car that is reasonably efficient at burning gas. As a family car you will need it almost all the time for commuting, taking kids to school, running errands and holiday trips. Get the most out of your gas by buying an efficient vehicle, even if it costs a little extra now it will save you hundreds in the long run.
•When selecting a good family car you need to remember what types of things you will be suing the car for. Work out what you need the car for and buy accordingly. For example, if you need to take dogs with you when going out shopping you need a car that fits the dogs and the shopping in the back.

Why do women pay less on their car insurance?

Many years ago, there was an early version of James Bond called Bulldog Drummond. Like Bond, he was a Brit and he had true grit when fighting an international criminal and his moll. The movies were less successful but the books are truly memorable. One of the best is "The Female of the Species", the title being the unfinished version of ". . .is more deadly than the male" - a line from a poem by another Brit called Rudyard Kipling. When Drummond finally kills his arch enemy, the battle is resumed by his moll and she proves a deadly opponent. Indeed, throughout literature, the women who step on to the dark side always prove to be more complete villains than their male equivalents. It's as if our horror of women doing bad stuff makes anyone good at it seem doubly frightening. Curiously, women drivers have always inspired a mixture of fear and derision. Men seem convinced women drivers are either uselessly timid or homicidal maniacs with little left between. Yet insurance companies who get to see all the traffic accident statistics across the US have a rather different opinion. The reality is women drivers are safer than men. They are involved in fewer accidents and, when an accident does occur, there are fewer people seriously injured and the vehicles are not as badly damaged. When it comes to setting premiums, you reward the people who drive more slowly and follow the rules of the road, and penalize the drivers who drive at reckless speeds and crash into anything that gets in the way.




There are several theories about differences between the sexes. Some say men have better spacial awareness. This allows them better control over moving objects at speed. Some say women do what they are told and so apply the speed limit and the laws on safety. Whatever the reason, three times more men than women are killed on the roads every year. Men aged under 25 are the most likely to die. They are the ones most likely to buy high-powered vehicles and want to show off. They are also likely to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs late at night when it is most dangerous. It's a sad picture but insurance companies deal with the world as they find it. Premiums are high where the risk of claims is high. That means young male drivers pay the highest premiums of anyone on the road. Their only strategy is to prove they are the exception to the rule. They should buy low-powered family saloons and drive as little as possible. There must be no tickets for speeding or any other moving violation. There must be no claims. The men who prove they are as safe as the women earn the same lower premiums. As for the women, they will always get cheap car insurance premiums. The biggest savings comes from the insurance companies offering special women-only policies. It is worth shopping around to find the really cheap car insurance policies in the age range of 30 to 45. Assuming low mileage at conventional times of the day, the lowest rates will be offered to this group. Then as age increases, the premiums will edge slowly up again, reaching a maximum after the age of 75.

Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet 2011 Has Arrived

What better way to spend your summer road trip than from behind the wheel of a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet? The much-anticipated convertible is identical in size to the 2010 E-Class Coupe and packs just as much punch under its hood.

Unlike other convertibles in its class, the new cabriolet is not outfitted with a retractable hardtop, but rather a 0.9-inch-thick fabric roof that is both water and wind resistant. The unique design of the roof enables the cabriolet to offer additional trunk capacity, with an increase from 3.17 cubic feet to 13.8 cubic feet. Another added feature is the new AIRCAP® system, which is designed to limit the amount of wind intrusion into the passenger compartment up to speeds of 100 mph. The system includes a 2.4-inch wind deflector that extends from the windshield, as well as a draft-stop mounted behind the rear seats. The cabriolet also features the Mercedes AIRSCARF®, a luxury that was first introduced in the SL Roadster, which sends gusts of warm air around the neck of both the driver and front-seat passenger. With these highly-engineered advancements, drivers and passengers alike can cruise the streets in style in in all seasons, knowing that each hair on his or her head will remain perfectly intact.

When it comes to safety, Mercedes-Benz has once again pulled out all the stops. The cabriolet is equipped with two reinforced roll-over bars, which include a combination of robust A-pillars and plug-in B-pillars. Detecting potential hazards caused by skidding or impact, the tilting cone sensor automatically locks causing the pre-tensioned pressure springs to immediately activate. As the first Mercedes-Benz cabriolet to offer headbags, the convertible comes standard with seven airbags, including front and side airbags, a kneebag on the driver’s side, as well as belt tensioners and belt force limits for each seat.

Powertrain options range from a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque for the E350 cabriolet to a 5.5-liter V8 engine with 382 horsepower and 391 lb-ft for the E550 cabriolet. Both models have a seven-speed automatic transmission and are priced from $58,000 for the E350 and $66,000 for the E550.

Russian Supercar "Marussia" Stuns

The Marussia is Russia's answer to the supercar, creators of the project Nikolay Fomenko and Yefim Ostrovsky believe that innovation and reliability are the key factors of the production under the Marussia trademark.

The uniqueness of the concept is that there are several completely different designs and colors of the vehicle's body that can be fitted onto the sole chassis. Together with the outside appearance, the interior design may be changed as well to match color and shape of the body. Finally, in spite of all changes the character and driving facilities of the car will remain unchanged. So, off-the-shelf product becomes very exclusive vehicles for each individual owner.

In order to come up with the unique designs a competition was held amongst young Russian designers challenging them to create the best possible look for the car. The Marussia is full of high tech gadgets and multimedia options to keep up with the ever rapid changing world we live in. One will find various technologies such as audio, video, Bluetooth, 4G Yota Internet access and VoIP which are provided for both the driver and passenger.

The V6 engine is equipped with a 3.5 liter engine which produces 300bhp, max torque is 330/3600. A racing version of the car, is in the development process, the company states it will be engineered with respect to the contemporary auto racing technologies of today. The total weight of the vehicle is 1100kg, and they claim it will do 0-60 in 5 secs and has a top speed of 250Km/h.

What To Look For When Test Driving A Car

Taking a car out for a test drive is essential before buying any new or used car. Don’t let that new car smell fool you, not every new car is the right one for you. Use this test drive checklist before your next test drive.

Before the test drive ask yourself the following questions:

- Does the vehicle look attractive to you?

- Is it available in a colour you like?

- Is the vehicle easy to get into?

- Does the interior come in a colour you like?

- Is their enough headroom, legroom, etc. when the seat and steering wheel are properly adjusted? Sit in the front and the back.

- Are the gauges easy to read?

Once you are ready to hit the road, answer these questions as you are driving.

- Is the engine as quiet and smooth as you expected?

- Does the steering have a nice feel to it?

- Does the vehicle have adequate power for acceleration? How about with the A/C on?

- Does the vehicle handle well?

- How are the brakes? Does the vehicle stop safely? Try the vehicle on a variety of roads, including the highway.

- Does the suspension absorb road irregularities well? Is it too soft or too hard?

- Are the interior noise levels okay on the highway? Listen for the engine, wind and road noise.

- Try all of the accessories including the radio, heater, A/C, and power features to ensure that they operate to your liking.

Once back to the dealership, try to do the following

- Try parking the vehicle. Does it have any blind spots?

- Walk around the vehicle with the engine running. How does it sound? Also, take a look at the engine while it’s running. Does everything seem in good order?

- Check the trunk. Is it large enough? Is the trunk opening large enough for balky items? - Do the rear seats fold down?

A great way to test drive a new car is to check if you could rent one from a rental company. This has two benefits. First, you can drive the vehicle for a longer period of time. Second, you can see how it has held up with a few thousand miles already on it.

Write down what you would like to look for before you test drive a new car. With all the excitement you may forget to look for something that is of interest to you. Test drive the competition as well. This will help you determine how well the vehicle you are interested in compares with its closest competitors.

Illegal Street Racing: A Growing Problem

It’s not an uncommon sight. Two vehicles line-up at a streetlight, one challenges the other, and once the green light appears they take off as fast as they know how. Illegal street racing is not a new thing. It’s been going on ever since the days of the Model T Ford. Over the years, speeds have increased and with the advent of cell phones and GPS systems, so has the technology. But the consequences of these careless actions have never changed. Thousands of accidents occur each year due to thoughtless, aggressive driving on our streets. But the trend continues to grow. Movies like The Fast and The Furious have helped to spread the virtues of street racing. Movies like these don’t show innocent victims getting hurt, but rather they portray the characters as misunderstood good guys who have a passion for cars. It’s easy to see how young people are able to accept the notion that street racing doesn’t hurt anyone when everything they see in movies confirms it. Videos of illegal street races are downloaded off the web at a growing rate only to fuel the desires of those who are unable to see the dangers in it.

Racing is not a bad thing. In fact, it’s an exciting sport that requires training, discipline and skill. But the streets are no place for racing. Unfortunately, any young person (the majority are young) can get into their car, mash the throttle and drive. No experience, no talent, no discipline. All of this while innocent drivers use the streets for their day-to-day activities.

So what are the solutions. Racing on our streets will never stop, but it can be reduced. What needs to be understood is that street racing is a social activity. People gather in a parking lot, hang out with friends, challenge someone to a race, and come back to the same parking lot once the race is over. Some cities recognized this and have opened drag strips for people to race, socialize and interact. For a small fee, they can prove themselves in a safe, supervised environment. This is also a great way to integrate local police with the participants. In order to reduce racing on our streets, local authorities need to control it. Larger fines won’t reduce street racing. Hundreds of people have died racing on the streets in this country and if the possibility of death doesn’t stop someone, a fine won’t either.

In the end we need to understand that the only way to reduce street racing is to provide an outlit for which it can occur. Until then, the masses will do what they know; they’ll continue to race on our streets.

Protect your BMW's finish

You just paid a cool $73,000 for your fashionably new BMW and are cruising down the boulevard enjoying the ride. You zig and zag your way around the slow movers, marveling over the responsive steering and handling engineered into your 750i. As you pull into your driveway, park your sedan, and exit your vehicle, you turn around and your eyes feast upon its stunning Kalahari beige metallic finish. Quite frankly it is the most attractive looking vehicle you have ever owned. Unfortunately, many new BMW owners fail to provide the one level of protection that can keep your car????????s expensive finish from permanently losing its luster. What is that? Read on and I will tell you about a product that simply must be part of every luxury car owner????????s inventory.

If you haven????????t guessed it yet, what I am talking about is a custom fitted car cover for your bimmer. Yes, even if you garage your 750i or other fine vehicle, time and the elements will certainly attack your car????????s finish. Sure, you can do regular washes and waxes, but the inevitable will happen: something, somewhere will damage the finish. Besides, do you want to spend every weekend polishing your car? I doubt that!

No, you can????????t drive with a car cover on, but you can certainly have a car cover on hand to keep your parked car safe. Yes, there are enough things out there that can harm an expensive finish, even damaging it to the point where only an expensive repair can remedy the insult. The following are some of the hazards just waiting to happen:

1. Bird excrement ???????? You don????????t need to be parked under a tree for your car to get hit; a single drive-by bombing by a winged creature can do your finish in.

2. Weather ???????? Rain, snow, ice, and especially hail can damage a car in mere moments.

3. Trees ???????? A small branch can scratch any finish.

4. Sun ???????? Harmful solar rays are bad for your skin and your car????????s skin too.

5. Pollution ???????? There is no place on earth that is pollution free. Acid rain and airborne driven particles just love a new car????????s finish.

6. Kids ???????? Try keeping your neighbor????????s kids away from the car. You may succeed, but hit balls can make a beeline for your wheels. Some car covers even offer protection against minor impacts.

All right, so you are cleverly thinking that your garaged vehicle is immune to such petty insults, right? Well, in one word you are incorrect. Indoor air pollution and dust can take its toll on your car????????s finish as can small impacts from anything that falls off of a wall and onto your car.

The solution? Select a car cover that is right for your vehicle. Even if you keep your car garaged most of the time, the best car cover on the market can protect your bimmer from moisture, the sun, dirt, pollution, and small impacts. Choose one that is custom made for your car with side mirror pockets built in and four layers of quick drying polypropylene material to provide the ultimate level of protection. You don????????t want something so thin that it doesn????????t provide all around protection ???????? you just never know when you will have to have your car outside for an extended period of time ???????? and you don????????t want a car cover that entombs your BMW either. Instead, select one that works with your bimmer, not against it.

Best of all, premium car covers can be had for under $200, a worthy investment for any car luxury or not. So, enjoy your new 750i, but give yourself some peace of mind by selecting a car cover that can protect its finish and keep it looking great for many years.

Building Your Car A Subwoofer Box

Building Your Car A Subwoofer Box
You can further the interior of your car’s capacity to produce much better music by getting it some subwoofers. Along with that, you do have to have some subwoofer boxes to go with that. You see, subwoofer boxes could be sealed, ported, or bandpass. And these three are just a few of the styles that these boxes could have.

Consult first with the manufacturer or the retailer of your subwoofer speakers. Ask them about the dimensions of the box. Then, ask them also if the given dimensions are interior or exterior. Interior dimensions would have to include the ???? inch thickness of the wood. On the other hand, for exterior dimensions, the manufacturer has already took that into consideration.

To start off, you should have these tools and materials for you would be using them as you proceed with this task: a ???? inch medium-density fiberboard, a jigsaw, a router, a power drill, a down spiral or a spiral bit, a ???? inch bit, a file, some sandpaper, a razor blade or a scalpel, some spray glue, a tape measure, a pencil, some screws, silicone, a solder, a solder gun, a calculator, some scratch paper, and your car’s carpet.

Start the constructing process by using your pencil and tape measure to trace out the patterns of the enclosure on the fiberboard. Trace out the patterns for the six sides of the box. Also add in a center divider for inside the box which would serve as the separation between the two speakers. Cut these patterns out with the jigsaw.

Take the pattern for the top portion of the subwoofer enclosure. Use the frame of the grille of the subwoofer speaker and a pencil to trace the outer and inner portions of this. Do this on the location of the board where you would like to put in your speakers. Use the router with a ???? inch bit and cut a depth of 3/8 inch. Do this between the inner and the outer circle, and this area would be the place where the frame of the speaker will be flush mounted.

Cut the holes for the speakers using the jigsaw. Later on, use a file to smooth the edges. You can also use the sandpaper to smooth out the area. Then, cut out round holes measuring two inches. Do this on each of the side panels. These holes will be filled with the connectors for the speaker wires.

Using screws, assemble the box. Seal the joints with silicone. This is to ensure that air will not leak out. Leave the front panel off first. Then, spray glue on the outer portion of the box as well as on the back of the carpet. Wrap the carpet tightly into the box. Put in some carpet at the top panel. With the use of a razor blade or a scalpel, cut vertical, horizontal, and angled lines in a star pattern into the carpet. Then, cut out the carpet that covers the connector holes.

Place in the connectors and make them run through the holes. Make sure that the two prong terminals are inside the box. Then, screw down the connectors. Seal around them with silicone. Solder the speaker wires to the speaker and connector. Also solder the positive wire to the positive lead of the speaker. Do the same with the negative ends. After everything has been done, put in the front panel on the box and screw them in. Push the speakers into the star pattern cut out on the carpet that covers the speaker holes on the front panel. You can now install the box inside your car and enjoy the music.

Car pooling for the planet

Car pooling, also known as ride-sharing or lift-sharing, can save you big bucks on gas, wear and tear on your vehicle, oil resources and reduce all the associated nasty environmental impact associated with driving. But wait, there's more!..

When you drive to work, are you alone or do you have room for other passengers? Have you ever noticed how many others around you are driving on their own too? In Australia, 83% people who drove to work or study in 2003 did not have a passenger. (ABS Social Trends, 2003). In the USA, single occupant commuting is around 75% according to census data.

There are millions of us who engage in solitary travel to and from work; driving billions of miles each year, spending a stack of cash on gas and pumping tons of emissions into the atmosphere.

According to the SightLine Insitute (single passenger statistics):

- A small car emits around .59 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile
- A medium car emits around 1.1 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile
- An SUV/4 wheel emits around 1.57 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile

If public transport isn't for you and you've rejected the idea of car pooling in the past for whatever reasons, technology has provided more far more choice, flexibility and efficiency to the concept - perhaps it's time to consider it again?

As mentioned, you don't necessarily have to have a car to participate in a lift sharing arrangement. In these cases you should plan to contribute cash to the driver to help cover his or her costs.

Formal carpooling is thought to have emerged in mid-1970s, likely due to the oil crisis at that time. It was a different sort of crisis back then and what we face now is far more serious. Our crisis isn't so much about politics or oil cartels; it's about a resource that's running out and one that plays a major role in global warming - oil.

While the days of plentiful, easy to extract crude oil are just about over; there will be still enough around for some years to come to push us well over the brink into runaway global warming. Unavoidable change is already occurring to our climate, but it's within the power of each of us to do our little bit to reduce emissions - and our collective efforts can make a difference as to how bad things get.

Car pooling advantages

Save money

Just putting aside the gloom and doom aspect of the environmental impact of fossil fuels; consider even the cost saving aspect. I've been reading a fair bit on car pooling today and it hasn't been uncommon to read stories of people who save a couple of hundred dollars a month in transport costs by sharing a ride with someone else. In some cities, you can also save on tolls and parking if your vehicle has multiple occupants.

It's not just the cost of gas, tolls and parking, but city driving is notorious for causing wear on vehicles - all the stopping and starting wears out engines, brakes and gearboxes, not to mention tire wear. According to the American Automobile Association, it costs an average of 26.2 cents per mile to drive a car; and that's just gas and wear and tear combined.

Decongests roads

According to a recent US study, "Commuting in America":

- U.S. drivers wasted 4.2 billion hours sitting in traffic in 2005
- Traffic delays chewed through 2.9 billion gallons of fuel
- In Los Angeles, the average driver wastes 72 hours per year going nowhere.

If everyone car pooled, imagine the many hundreds of thousands of vehicles that would be off the road each day. This would lessen traffic congestion, making trips faster, cutting fuel and car maintenance costs even further. Some places even have roads with designated lanes for multiple occupant vehicles and I expect we'll see more of this in the years ahead.

Social/emotional

Through sharing a ride, you'll meet other people. Our online world is steadily disconnecting people and that can be unhealthy for many folks. For some people, there's nothing like a pep session before the daily grind and a counselling session immediately afterwards :).

Also, if you find driving to work stressful, car pooling can alleviate the frustration in travelling to and from the workplace. You may even find time to carry out other tasks during the drive instead, such as preparing for meetings etc.

Flexibility through technology

In the early days of car pooling, it was fairly restrictive and it could be difficult to find people you get along with to team up to share a ride. The advent of the World Wide Web has changed all that. Many online services have sprung up that provide a good choice of people to ride share with and therefore greater flexibility with your own timetable. Better online resources will offer the following matching:

Geographic – matching departure and destination routes

Chronological – matching times of departure and arrival

Personal Preferences. - Points such as whether you wish to be a driver and/or passenger, gender preferences, smoker/non-smoker - some even provide matching for music choices. That's quite a good idea; I know I would go absolutely nuts sitting through an hour of rap (no offense to rappers intended).


Car pooling precautions

Wherever humans are involved, there is *always* potential for things to go wrong and not everyone in the world is.. umm.. balanced. If you're a newbie to the idea of car pooling with folks you don't know, here's some basic guidelines to bear in mind.

- Try to meet the your prospective new car pooling buddies in a public place first before making firm arrangements to travel together. Don't reveal too much personal information up to that point.

- Ask some probing questions about driving habits. You don't want to end up being stuck with someone prone to road rage or other habits that don't suit you.

- Try to confirm your prospective travel partner's identity. Ask to see their driver's license or other state-issued ID and reciprocate the gesture.

- Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel quite right, don't go ahead with the arrangement.

- Be sure you exchange emergency medical information once you're comfortable and decide to go ahead with the arrangement. This is in case you're in an accident.

- Make sure you settle on issues such as eating/drinking in the vehicle, stops along the way and flexibility in pickup times; i.e. how late can a person be before they'll miss a lift.

- Have a backup plan as sometimes unavoidable situations will occur such as you become ill or the other person is ill.

It's really important that everyone involved in the ride sharing arrangement is aware of and agrees upon the ground rules and it's probably wise to have them written down. Winging it is a sure-fire recipe for disaster.

I can see a time in the not too distant future where vehicles with single occupants will become prime targets for higher tolls and other disincentives; so why not try giving it a whirl and ease yourself into lift sharing at your own pace? Your pocket and the planet will benefit!

How Do Cars Work

We’ll take a brief look at the car as we know it — how and why it runs, some of its wider consequences, and why there is not only a crisis going on, but also such a desperate need for an alternative — a future car.




It may be a dumb question, but how exactly do cars run today?

The odds are very good that the car you drive is powered by a gasoline engine or a diesel engine. Although these engines don’t operate in precisely the same manner, for our current purposes this is immaterial.

When you turn the car’s ignition, a blend of air and fuel meet a spark inside a closed chamber, causing combustion—a small explosion. The energy released from that explosion expands very rapidly—think of any explosion, even a huge one, and how it pushes outward. Your car’s technology is arranged to divert that expansion so that it pushes on pistons in a cylinder. This process happens again and again, allowing your car to move forward.

Because that combustion occurs in a closed space, it’s known as internal combustion; as a result, your car runs thanks to the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE).



Where exactly does the gasoline come from?

According to the Biogenic theory, millions of years ago when organic material like algae died and began to decay, it sunk into the upper crust of the earth—beginning, in essence, to fossilize. Over the next millions of years it was subjected to intense heat and pressure, experiencing a tremendous transformation in its chemistry.

Ultimately, it transformed into a gas or liquid, at which time we termed it a hydrocarbon.



What are hydrocarbons?

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds that only have carbon and hydrogen molecules. Examples of some well-known hydrocarbons are methane, propane and butane, to name just a few—which we also call fossil fuels. And it just so happens that they store a lot of energy, so when you burn them, they produce a lot too.

Therefore, in grossly oversimplified terms, we drill into the ground and find an oil well, extract these fuels, process and refine them, then send them through the appropriate infrastructure (utility, gasoline, natural gas, etc), where, in the case of cars, they emerge from pumps at gas stations.



What exactly are fossil fuels?

The US Environmental Protection Agency defines fossil fuels as “buried combustible geologic deposits of organic materials, formed from decayed plants and animals that have been converted to crude oil, coal, natural gas, or heavy oils by exposure to heat and pressure in the earth's crust over hundreds of millions of years,” a definition which succinctly brings us to the current environmental crisis involving gasoline cars.

Electric Car History

Electric Vehicles: Yesterday's Future
Electric vehicles have existed since the late nineteenth century. In fact, in 1900 electric vehicles, including trolleys and trains, than there were gasoline-powered cars. Battery-powered trains were developed in the mid-19th century and widespread adoption began after Werner von Siemens debuted his electric passenger train at the 1879 Berlin Trade Fair. Siemens' train, powered by a third rail, transcended the limits of batteries and facilitated the development of electric streetcars.

As a means of local transportation, electric streetcars succeeded where steam engines–with their noise, sparks and steam–had failed and by 1900 they were adapted worldwide for use in railways, subways and short-range industrial environments such as mines.

Electric train development progressed rapidly. The adoption of AC current (which allows for higher voltages) enabled long-distance travel and higher speeds. Electric railways came to be seen as the future of transportation and planners envisioned that all systems of city and suburban traffic would become electric.

Though the streetcar was more prominent, electric cars developed in parallel. In the 1830's Scottish businessman Robert Anderson invented the first crude electric carriage. Professor Sibrandus Stratingh of Groningen, the Netherlands, designed and built the small-scale electric car with Christopher Becker in 1835.

Electric Cars Flourish
Such a car, powered by a battery that would rapidly expire, had little potential until Gaston Planté's 1865 invention of the lead-acid battery which could be recharged. In 1881 Camille Faure's lead-oxide battery greatly incrFrance and Great Britain spearheaded development of the electric car, soon followed by the United States. EVs broke land speed records and outsold gasoline models at the turn of the century. Gas-powered cars were considered noisy, uncomfortable, difficult to drive. They also required crank starting which was not only a pain, it could break your wrist. Have a look at this marketing letter from Detroit Electric agent J.F. Hayden who is "forcibly convinced that the Electric Automobile [sic] will largely supersede the gas cars."

Agent Hayden was not alone in his view. In addition to the electric car's superior comfort and safety, the processes of extracting and refining crude oil into a useable energy source was extremely expensive. Briefly stated, the future car of 1900 was electric, just as it is today.

Though the auto industry was still in its infancy, several companies manufactured electric vehicles in the U.S. Prominent names included:

Baker (link to picture of collector Jay Leno)
Detroit Electric (currently being revived by a Netherlands-based company)
Studebaker

These vehicles were sold primarily as “town cars” to affluent and high income individuals. Curiously, electric cars, with their tidy, crank-free operation, were also marketed as appropriate for women drivers. All was not perfect, however, with the electric car. They were still slow and had limited range. Batteries were cumbersome and leaked, spewing noxious fumes that belied their "clean" image.

Gasoline Wins The Day
Thomas Edison began to develop an improved battery for the electric auto. His patented alkaline battery was lighter weight and longer-lasting; the "Edison Storage Battery Company" was founded and successfully produced batteries for 70 years. Cars, however, were not the primary application. His battery development coincided with gasoline engine-related advances that sounded the death knell for the electric car.

The electric starter, invented and introduced by Cadillac in 1913, increased the potential of the internal combustion engine and provided a safe, effective, and consumer-friendly alternative to the hand-crank. However, it was the Model T, which debuted in 1908 without an electric starter, that really did in the electric car. Henry Ford's production model made autos affordable for the masses. Gasoline, at that time a by product of the burgeoning petroleum industry, was also cheap and increasingly available.

A final significant contribution to the inability of the electric car to flourish in the United States was the widespread adoption of Westinghouse's AC electric system, which could carry power for greater distances, in favor of Edison's DC system. Electric vehicles were rapidly deprived of a readily available DC power source for recharging and AC/DC converters were extremely costly.

Mass-produced gas-powered autos became the standard and cost one-third as much as their electric counterparts. By the 1930s, the electric automobile industry was defunct.
eased capacity and conductivity, thus paving the way for electric cars to flourish.

Electric Cars Tech

If you are in the market for an EV or just looking for a dangerous amount of knowledge, the next few paragraphs will get you up to speed. If you want to dive deeper, the links that follow the article will have you engineering your own electric vehicle conversion in no time.

Basics
All-electric cars, a.k.a. electric vehicles (EV) or battery electric vehicles (BEV), are propelled purely by means of an electric motor powered by an on-board battery (to be precise, the battery powers a controller which in turn powers the motor). The battery can be recharged using a standard electrical outlet or at a charging station.

Motor Types
AC Motors
Virtually all of the EV's and hybrids on the market use AC motors. Alternating-Current motors are better for continuous power (hills). Starting power is slower, but the motor can run at high RPMs without overheating. Because they can run at high RPMs they do not require a transmission. They can also move a heavier vehicle.

AC motors are best suited to the regenerative braking systems featured in both EVs and hybrids. Regenerative braking, which returns braking power to the battery, combined with superior efficiency make for better fuel economy. Generally speaking, AC motors run more smoothly and can be precisely controlled. For these reasons, production model electric cars and hybrids use AC motors.

AC motors have significant disadvantages, particularly for the DIY hobbyist. They are more expensive than DC Motors and so are the battery packs. They are also more complicated to control. Because battery output is DC, they require a converter which takes up a lot of space.

DC Motors
Though the debate rages on, about the pros and cons of AC vs DC, DC Motors are the favorite choice of DIYers who convert their gas-powered cars to electric. DC motors are more affordable and easier to control. They also have greater initial torque and higher peak power, so they are popular with racers.

A major disadvantage of DC motors is a tendency to overheat. They also become very large and heavy according to their power output.

AC conversion kits are now available and will become more popular for conversions. However, there are a wide variety of DC motor designs which may improve for EV application.

Battery types
Batteries are the greatest obstacle to the proliferation of EVs. Electric cars require a lot of batteries which must be installed in an array and housed in a battery pack. These batteries are heavy (the Tesla Roadster's battery pack weighs 1,000 lbs) and take up a lot of cubic centimeters. Then there is the simple fact that batteries run out of power and must be recharged.

"But regular cars have to be refueled," you might say. True, but if we're going to replace gas stations with charging stations we're going to have a parking problem because batteries take a long time to recharge.

Three types of batteries are found in electric cars:
Lead-acid batteries
Oldest type of rechargeable battery. Cheap to produce and compatible with existing electronics. Messy, toxic and prone to explosion.
Lithium ion batteries [Li-ion]
High energy-to-mass ratio (which means less weight per unit of stored energy). They retain their stored energy when not in use but lose capacity with age. Considered to have the most potential for mass-market EVs but the most advanced models are too expensive. NiMH batteries are toxic and require special handling to recycle.
Nickel metal hydride [NiMH]
Good energy-to-mass ratio (a.k.a. energy density). Non-toxic which makes for easy recycling. The major disadvantage to nickel metal hydride batteries is that they don't hold a charge very well when they aren't being used.
The problems with battery technology explain why there is so much excitement around fuel cells. Compared to batteries, fuel cells will be smaller, much lighter and instantly rechargeable

Maximize your car's fuel efficiency

There are lots of things that you do to improve your gas mileage substantially – by as much as 15% for some cars. Some mileage improvement strategies are just a question of common sense (don't gun it off the stop line, Speed Demon) and some are a little more innovative.

Improve your mileage by up to 15%
In the future, issues like mileage and fuel sources will be afterthoughts for car designers, and everyone will remember the days of cars that get 50 miles per gallon as the Dark Age of personal transportation. And while owning a car that gets 100 miles per gallon is may seem like pure science fiction (and, for most drivers, the stuff of fantasy), there are lots of things that you can start doing today that can help improve your gas mileage substantially – by as much as 15% for some cars. Some tips are just a question of common sense (don't gun it off the stop line, Speed Demon), but all have the power to get you more bang for your buck. Here's how:

On the Road Again
Take a deep breath.
This is probably the quickest, easiest change you can make right now and see a noticeable difference in your mileage. Just stop driving aggressively. Studies have shown that you can get up to 5% better mileage by just being a little kinder behind the wheel. Don't fly off the stop line and do anticipate stops better. Relax. Being the first through the intersection doesn't make you the coolest; it just wastes your gas. Plus, being a careful driver has the added benefit of reducing your auto insurance premium. And who doesn't like that?
Switch it off.
Stuck in stop-and-go traffic? Traffic jams a part of your daily commute? Well, they are for a lot of people. Contrary to what you might think, leaving your engine idling while waiting in heavy traffic doesn't mean you're getting great mileage (the RPMs may be low, but you're not going anywhere, right?). In fact, in means you're getting ZERO miles per gallon, which is pretty crummy however you look at it. Switch it off if you're going to be waiting in traffic for any length of time.
Plan better.
I don't know about you, but I spend a lot of time on the weekend running errands, and the miles add up pretty quickly. Instead of driving from destination to destination willy-nilly, figure out an itinerary that makes the most sense for your fuel economy. Something else to consider is that a few quick trips starting while the engine is cold uses as much as twice the fuel as driving the same distance with a warm engine.
Streamline that sucker.
Yes, cars are designed to allow them to haul stuff, both inside and out. But that doesn't mean you should if you can help it. Roof racks may look cool, but they're not exactly helpful when it comes to maximizing your aerodynamics, and therefore, fuel efficiency. Likewise, hauling around a few dozen bowling balls won't exactly help your cause, either.
Service with a Smile
Tune it up.
Studies have shown that an engine that hasn't received its routine maintenance can decrease its efficiency by 4%-10%. That's huge. And it can be even huger for older models. This especially includes air filters, which, if clogged, can decrease your car's fuel economy by up to 10%!
Fill 'er up.
Most of the time, using a high-octane fuel choice at the pump is a total waste of money. Unless your manufacturer recommends something higher, regular will do just fine.
Keep 'em filled up and lined up.
Tires are the only thing separating you from the road. And keeping them in good condition, which means properly inflated and aligned, translates directly into better gas mileage. A pretty quick change, but one that can increase your fuel economy by up to 3%.
Keep it lubed up.
Pick an oil that contains additives to reduce friction, which can improve fuel economy. Oh, and make sure you get your oil changed regularly. Gunky, dirty oil isn't helpful when it comes to making the most of your fill-ups.
Of course, in the future, none of this will be an issue, right? We'll be able to fly off stop lines, haul stuff, and run errands from here to eternity on a splash of water and an ear of corn. Until then, though, follow these steps and you'll be that much closer to the future – and making science fiction just plain science.

Electric Car Distance Limitation Facts

Electric cars have become very popular recently due to new information on how to convert to a electric vehicle. Most people seem to believe that electric vehicles are not practical because they can not travel far enough, but this is simply not true.

Granted you are not going to take a cross country trip in one, unless you also happen to own the worlds largest extension cord. Until battery technology improves, that is even beyond the range of a brand new $100,000+ tesla roadster. So that proves your point right? Lets take a
closer look.

How much do you really travel every day? Government studies show that 80% of Americans drive less than 50 miles a day, 50% drive less than 25 miles a day, with a range of 100 miles or more an electric vehicle will easily get you through the day.

Add up the miles you drive, 10-30 mile round trip to work, businesses you frequent are usually within 5 miles of your home, so you can see when you build your own electric vehicle it is really practical for everyday use.

Here are some more advantages of electric cars:

•Quiet

•Reliable

•Environmentally friendly

•Cheap to operate and maintain

•Reasonably fast

This last fact may come as a surprise to many people, but there are electric cars available right now that will do 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds, while a conversion car is not targeted to that kind of speed, the acceleration you get is more than adequate, and it will do highway speeds which makes it good enough for most peoples needs.

Another thing to consider is that you can build your own electric vehicle for under $500, which makes it within the reach of just about everyone. A car is very important for most of us, but the growing concerns over its impact on the environment, shrinking fuel resources, and the rising cost of gasoline forces us to look at other options.

If you are ready for better and cheaper solutions for your transportation needs while saving gasoline, and without adding to global warming, an electric vehicle is the way to go.

Fast Electric Cars

The idea of speed and an electric car are two elements which very few people in the world would have put together until just very recently. However, such have been the improvements in technology over the last few years that a number of fast electric cars are now commonplace on roads and highways around the world. So what can you expect from the electric car market?

The need for speed

When you consider that the famous Tesla roadster, one of the most recognised electric cars on the market, can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds you might just begin to imagine how much the electric car market has changed. The vehicle also has a top speed of 125 mph although it is worth noting that many other electric cars on the market also have similar acceleration and similar top speeds.

The Ultimate Aero EV, the Lightning GT, the AC Propulsion tzero and the surprise entry into the fast electric car market is the 1972 Electric Datsun. These are vehicles which have been introduced to the electric car market, often as a concept cars and never actually reaching the mass market, but ultimately they have shown what is possible and how far technology has improved in recent times.

The KillaCycle

The KillaCycle is also a useful talking point as this is a bike powered by electric which can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under one second! The top speed for the vehicle is 170 mph and in trials it has covered a quarter of a mile in just under 8 seconds. These truly are speed machines and the very fact they are powered by electric will surprise and indeed astound many people.

What can we expect from future electric cars?

While there's no doubt that many people are surprised at the development in the electric car market over the last decade, this is literally just the tip of the iceberg and we will see massive efficiency improvements in the years to come. The vast majority of people who acquire electric cars are looking more towards higher efficiency and longer journeys but it is also useful to see improvements in the speed of electric vehicles. Consumer demand for electric powered sports cars has also been very buoyant, to the surprise of many, although the likes of Tesla have been very proactive in this field and attracted the attention of the mass market.

Conclusion

While the ultimate target for the electric car market is greater efficiency and less pollution released into the environment there is no doubt that there will always be motorists looking for that extra boost of speed. It is interesting to see that even some of the customised electric cars from years gone by are able to reach speeds which in many cases are way above and beyond the limits of traditional cars.

The electric car market of today is very different to that of 10 years ago and electric car market in 10 years time will again be very different to the one we see today. Changes are happening at lightning fast speed!

Get Your Car Set For Travel Season

Get your car ready for travel season with some preventative maintenance. Car care tips for all you road warriors, get ready for the spring and summer.


(NAPSI)-To keep your car on the road longer, now is the time to spring for vehicle maintenance.

"Preventative maintenance is the key to maintaining optimum performance for your vehicle," said Pietro Gorlier, president and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand.


According to the Car Care Council, 80 percent of vehicles inspected experienced at least one part or system failure.



What To Do

Mopar recommends six ways to stay out of such statistics.

• Check Tires

Air pressure should be checked on all tires, including the spare. Inspect tread and sidewall areas for uneven or irregular wear. Replace any tires that are worn or damaged.

• Check Fluid Levels

Engine oil should be changed regularly. All vehicle fluids and lubricants should be checked and changed at recommended intervals. A good fuel filter traps contaminants before they reach the engine. For diesel engines, a 7-micron diesel fuel filter from Mopar can keep water from contaminating injector pumps and fuel injectors.

• Check Engine Belts and Hoses

Prevent a breakdown or serious engine damage by replacing belts and hoses at recommended intervals. They should meet stringent quality standards and offer precise fit, optimal service life and original-equipment performance.

• Change Air Filter

Engines need to breathe. Restrict the supply of air and they won't work as well as they should--something that's usually reflected in higher fuel consumption. A new air filter will allow clean, unrestricted air flow into the engine and help ensure proper performance and longer life.

• Check Battery

Whether it's the first start-up in the morning or having the reserve power to run the air conditioning and other accessories, the battery is a critical source. Have batteries tested and replaced if necessary.

• Check Wiper Blades

For optimal visibility and quiet operation, get all-season wiper blades built for the long haul with a strong, all-metal superstructure for durable, reliable performance. Mopar even has an innovative wear indicator that turns from black to green to yellow as the blades wear.

In addition, Gorlier says, always follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicle's owner's manual. His company, Mopar, is the source for all original-equipment parts for Ram, Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles.

The Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid

The Epitome of Green Muscle - the Porsche 918 Spyder is a PHEV. That stands for a Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle.

Green muscle found in the Porsche 918 Spyder: the synthesis of efficient, state-of-the-art ecological technology with powerful, cutting-edge automotive clout.

The 2010 Geneva Motor show unveiled the new “green muscle” automotive epoch. Tesla, Ferrari, BMW and Infiniti all showcased alternative vehicles, but Porsche led the pack with its ravishing 918 Spyder PEHV concept.


After debuting at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show to industry-wide acclaim, the sleek and shining Porsche 918 Spdyer was unleashed to the public through the exhilarating words of enthused automotive journalists.

At 177 total inches, with voluptuous aluminum plastered to a magnesium and aluminum frame with a monocoque construction, the 918 Spyder is the pure definition of automotive beauty.

But rather than a regular gas-swilling supercar rocketing around a racetrack, this independent vehicle proudly defies conventionality. The 918 Spyder shares a power plant normally reserved for “family-friendly” and “value-minded” vehicles. It is a hybrid.

Gear freaks love the 500-hp, 3.6-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch manual gearbox. The astronomical 9,200 RPM maximum only inflames the passion. But the love affair does not end with mere crankshafts and pistons. In the trunk rests lithium-ion battery pack, weighing less than 100kg, that connects to three electric motors. The plug-in batteries take two hours to recharge with a phase three generator. This exposition of green muscle lowers carbon dioxide emission to 70g/km. Coupled with four-wheel drive, the 918 Spyder more than matches conventional race cars. But let the numbers speak for themselves.

78 miles per gallon. That is the 918 Spyder’s mpg, as estimated by the European Cycle (typically higher than U.S. EPA estimates). On pure electricity alone, the 918 Spyder can allegedly travel for sixteen miles. What could be more impressive? The 3.2 seconds it takes for the Porsche 918 Spyder to dash to 62-mph. A few more seconds and it tops out at 198 mph. This proves company chairman Michael Macht's statement: “It provides an emphatic answer to whether there can be high-performance supercars in the future. Many have said they are finished. This car shows they are not.”

In line with its green muscle priorities, the 918 Spyder offers four driving modes: all-electric E-drive; Hybrid, which is appropriate for daily commuting; Sport Hybrid, which utilizes both powertrains but focuses on performance; and Racing Hybrid, which focuses on nothing but fast. There is a feature called, “E-boost,” which provides a boost of electric power. Regenerative braking is included. Porsche even adds a range extender, which gives information on fuel efficiency, powertrain performance and trip computation.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 7

Find out more about the BMW ActiveHybrid 7, the latest green offering from this popular car manufacturer.

The new ActiveHybrid 7 is part of BMW's new line of hybrid cars. Unlike the more complex dual-mode system in the ActiveHybrid X6, the 7's system is designed to get the most from hybrid technology's ecological and fuel economy advantages while reducing the power, weight, and space penalties of more complex systems.

As a result, the car is only 165lbs heavier than a normally equipped 7, and the lithium ion battery takes up only 1.4 cubic feet of trunk space. However, this limits the system's electric capabilities. While the X6 has two large motors that can push the car on electric power alone at low speeds, the 7 makes due with a single small motor and cannot move without using the gas engine.


The 8-speed ZF transmission is the same as found in the regular 7, but a smaller torque converter and higher gear ratios have been fitted to take advantage of the electric motor's low-speed torque. The motor itself sits between the engine and transmission adding 55 hp and 65 ft-lb torque for a total of 440 hp and 455 ft-lb torque when combined with the car's twin turbo V8. While it shares this engine with the regular 750, the ActiveHybrid can reach 60 mph half a second faster than its non-hybrid stablemate. EPA figures have not yet been released, but it's expected that this car will get 15% better fuel economy than base 7.

The gas engine runs when the car is first started, allowing start-stop mode only once the car has moved. The switch between regenerative and friction braking is seamless, something rarely seen in even the best hybrids. When this happens, the tach turns blue, indicating power regeneration instead of revs.

Unlike other hybrids, exterior cues identifying this model are limited to special aerodynamic wheels and a small "ActiveHybrid" badge on the rear. A new electric air conditioning system has been added with coolant lines running to the battery to keep it cool while also keeping passengers comfortable while the gas engine is off. Oddly, the ActiveHybrid doesn't have electric power steering. Whenever the wheel is turned, the engine has to start up to provide power for the steering pump, using fuel and giving a brief feeling of heaviness to the wheel.

Starting price for the ActiveHybrid 7 is $103,000 for the short wheel base model or $106,000 for the long wheel base, putting it squarely within the price range of its closest competitor, the dual-mode hybrid Lexus LS600h.

The Worlds Fastest Car

What is the Worlds Fastest car? Determining which is the fastest car in the world will depend on how you define fast.

We will talk about the fastest accelerating car in the world, the fastest cars top speed, the car that had the fastest time at Nürburgring, the worlds fastest street car, legal street car that is. In other words the Bugatti Veyron, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, the Pagani Zonda R and the Maxximus G-Force Find out more about the worlds fastest cars and how they got the reputation for being the fastest.

The Bugatti Veyron


The fastest accelerating car in the world is the Bugatti Veyron.
The Bugatti Veyron, manufactured by Bugatti Automobiles was a pet project of Ferdinand Piech. Peich was a former CEO of VW. Built to be the fastest production car in the world, the Veyron has an 8.0 L W16 engine. This powerhouse produces 1020 HP, 992 ft-lbf. torque. In 2.6 seconds this car can reach 60 mph. In 9.9 seconds the Bugatti Veyron can hit 100 mph and return to 0.

The Veyron weights as much as some trucks, weighting in at four thousand five hundred pounds. How many of the fastest accelerating car in the world were sold? 200 of the Veyron were sold with a price tag of 1.1 million dollars each during it's production period.

One famous owner we all are familiar with is Simon Cowell of American Idol fame. Even if you don't always agree with Simons Idol choices, you have to love his choice of cars.


The SSC Ultimate Aero TT

The record for the fastest cars top speed in the world is the SSC Ultimate Aero TT. So if it is speed you are looking for this would be considered the worlds fastest car. The Ultimate Aero TT was built by Shelby Super cars. It wasn't designed by Carrol Shelby as we would expect. It was designed by Jerod Shelby who was a medical equipment designer. In 2001 Jerod began to design cars and came up with a Super car of his very own.

Under the hood of the Ultimate Aero TT twin turbo 7.01 V 8 engines produce 1183 HP along with 1112 ft-lbf torque. This car, unlike the Veyron, weights a slight 2750 pounds. To put this in understandable terms, the Ultimate Aero TT weights the same as a Ford Focus. Makes you wonder where all that power comes from, doesn't it?

The Ultimate Aero TT actually reached 256 MPH and taking the title of the worlds taking the title of the worlds fastest production vehicle from the Veyron. It is believed that the TT could reach over 270 mph but was never put on a track that was long enough to test that theory. There were not many of these super cars built, only 25 TT's and with a cost of 645,000.00 I can understand why there wasn't a demand for more.


The Pagani Zonda R

The fastest production car with the fastest time at Nürburgring was the Pagani Zonda R. Some automotive manufacturers use Nürburgring time as a standard to rate their production cars lap times. One of the most difficult tracks in the history of motor sports it is a great track to test a vehicles suspension tuning.

The Pagani Zonda R is the production car that owns the track record at Nürburgring. The Pagini's time is 6:47 with an AMG V 12 that creates 739 HP with 523 ft-pounds torque. Another light weight, the Pangini R weights in at 2358 pounds, not much less than the Ultimate Aero TT.

The Pagini R design makes use of a F 1 vehicles technology with it's use of Telemetry recordings. These recordings allow car drivers and crew to study the driving techniques used on the track. IF you didn't order your R right away, chances are you didn't get one. Only 15 will be made and each will be over the one million dollar mark.


The Maxximus G-Force

The Worlds fastest street car, correction, I mean the fastest legal street car is the Maxximus G-Force. Sounds fast, doesn't it? How did a Ultima GTR become the worlds fastest street car? Well, a little reengineering that allows it to hold a Chevy twin turbo seven liter block.

This twin turbo seven can produce 1500 ft lbf torque along with 1600 HP. And it does it with a three speed automatic transmission. In 2.0 seconds flat it can go from 0 mph to 60. Give it 4.5 seconds and it is going 100. The Maxximus G-Force may be the worlds fastest street car, but it will never be mass produced.


These Supercars Are The Worlds Fastest Cars

The Supercars are often describe as a ultrahigh end exotic vehicle that is superior to most other cars made. The cars we have shown you in our article are definately more expensive, faster or more powerful than most cars in the world today. We find these Supercars so appealing. They are sexy and they are hot. It's fun to see them and to read about them.

The Bugatti Veyron, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, the Pagani Zonda R and the The Maxximus G-Force all have something in common. A couple things actually. They are very expensive, they are very sleek and each of them qualifies as the worlds fastest car in one category or another.

How to Stay Safe on Wet Roads

Finding out how to stay safe on wet roads is a very important safety lesson to learn. Rain-X has some valuable tips for us.


(ARA) - With a quarter of annual car accidents occurring in rainy or wet weather, it is important for drivers to increase their safe driving habits during the winter months. The weather can vary from snow in the northeast, to thunderstorms in the south and torrential rain in the northwest. With nature being so erratic, the best way to travel safely ensure safe travel during inclement weather is to be preparation.

Jody DeVere, president and chief executive officer of the top women’s auto advice Web site, AskPatty.com, has teamed up with Rain-X to spread a message of safety and remind motorists to change their wiper blades annually. DeVere lends her expertise to help drivers stay safe amid the rain, snow, slush and ice.


"Annually changing your wiper blades, as well as performing quick safety checks, can help to increase safety during inclement weather," says DeVere, "Effective wiper blades are vital to maintaining roadway visibility, and there is no better time to remind people to change their wiper blades than Groundhog Day, when people are already thinking of the weather."

DeVere provides the following safe driving tips:

* See Your Way Through the Storm: Wiper blades are one of the most important parts of a vehicle’s safety equipment. Clear visibility through the use of effective wiper blades and a windshield treatment while driving can improve reaction times by up to a full second in poor weather conditions. The use of a quality wiper blade can significantly improve driving visibility. The Rain-X Latitude was recently ranked as the No. 1 contoured blade by a leading consumer magazine.

* Be Proactive: Walk around your vehicle, checking its lights, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid and wiper blades regularly.

* Maintain Your Other Boots: Ensure that your tires are properly inflated and have sufficient tread. Too often drivers let their tires wear away and wait until the weather gets better to have them changed. Tires with insufficient tread depth can reduce stopping distance in wet weather dramatically.

* Stay Half Full: As the temperature drops, keep your gas tank at least half full; the extra gas helps reduce condensation that can plug your fuel line with ice and stall your engine in cooler weather.

* Be Prepared: Create an emergency pack of items such as a blanket, a first aid kit, snacks, bottled water, an ice scraper, a flashlight and a bag of kitty litter, and keep it in your vehicle. Most motorists do not think to keep these items in their vehicle, but having such items can be critical during roadside emergencies in heavy rain or snow storms.

* Take it Easy: In addition to keeping emergency items in the vehicle, drivers should adjust their driving habits in inclement weather. Drivers should slow down when the roadways are wet, leave two car lengths between your vehicle and the one in front of you for every 10 mph, and be sure to use signals when changing lanes to indicate your intentions.

According to Rain-X, accidents in wet weather are, in part, attributed to the nearly 78 percent of motorists that only change their wiper blades after the blades begin to impair visibility and become a potential safety hazard. A good habit to adopt is cleaning the windshield every time you fill the gas tank. It’s best to check the washer fluid level at each fill-up and consider using a quality rain repellent for maximum windshield clarity.