Monday, May 10, 2010
Newest Models
HOTT CARS: FOR THE FUEL FRIENDLY
Nissan unveils the Cube
Honda will unveil a fuel cell concept car called the FC Sport. Although it would be cool to see some hydrogen powered sports cars, the FC Sport is pretty ugly. It's sleek, and kind of cool, but its design might be a little too modern for the current car buyer. What is awesome is the interior, which was modeled after the McLaren F1, with the driver seated in the center of the vehicle and passengers on each side.
FC Sport fuel cell concept car
Saturday, May 1, 2010
2010 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
Options Included: Factory Installed Options: Mulliner Driving Specification Package, Bluetooth Telephone System With Front And Rear Privacy Handsets, Reversing Camera,...
Options Included: Factory Installed Options: Mulliner Driving Specification Package, Bluetooth Telephone System With Front And Rear Privacy Handsets, Reversing Camera, Valet Key, Naim Premium Audio System, Satellite Radio With Pre-Paid Lifetime Subscription To Sirius, Ipod Interface, Veneered Picnic Tables, Deep Pile Overmat Carpets, Chestnut Veneer, 4-Spoke Wood And Hide Steering Wheel, Bright Chromed Lower Front Bumper Matrix Style Grille, Bentley Alloy Fuel Filler Cap, Saddle Seat Piping
Standard Equipment: Memorized Settings Including Door Mirror(S), Memorized Settings Including Steering Wheel, Memorized Settings For 3 Drivers, Driver And Passenger Seat Memory, Remote Power Door Locks, Power Windows, Cruise Controls On Steering Wheel, Cruise Control, 4-Wheel ABS Brakes, Front Ventilated Disc Brakes, 1st And 2nd Row Curtain Head Airbags, Passenger Airbag, Side Airbag, Rear Air Conditioning With Separate Controls, Express Open/Close Glass Sunroof, Rear Spoiler: Lip, Navigation System, Bluetooth Wireless Connectivity, Audio System Security, Audio/Video Remote Control, Am/Fm/Satellite Radio, Radio Data System, Sirius Satellite Radio, Total Number Of Speakers: 12, Twin Turbo, Braking Assist, ABS And Driveline Traction Control, Stability Control, Privacy Glass: Light, Silver Alloy Rims, Leather/Chrome Shift Knob Trim, Genuine Wood Dash Trim, Aluminum/Genuine Wood Door Trim, Aluminum/Genuine Wood Center Console Trim, Headlight Cleaners With Washer, Video Monitor Location: Front, Trip Computer, External Temperature Display, Tachometer, Electrochromatic Auto-Dimming Mirrors, Power Remote Driver Mirror Adjustment, Heated Driver Mirror, Heated Passenger Mirror, Electrochromatic Rearview Mirror, Power Remote Passenger Mirror Adjustment, Power Retractable Mirrors, Turn Signal In Mirrors, Dual Illuminated Vanity Mirrors, Compass, Driver And Passenger Heated-Cushion, Driver And Passenger Heated-Seatback, Rear Heat Ducts With Separate Controls, Remote Window Operation, Audio Controls On Steering Wheel, Power Open And Close Trunk, Power Remote Trunk Release, Front And Rear Reading Lights, Anti-Theft Alarm System, Leather Seat Upholstery, Bucket Front Seats, Rear Bench, Rear Seats Center Armrest With Pass-Thru, Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel, Speed-Proportional Power Steering, 4-Corner Leveling Suspension, Driver Adjustable Suspension Height And Ride Control, Interior Air Filtration, Automatic Front Air Conditioning, Dual Front Air Conditioning Zones.
Bentley Continental Flying Spur
2010 Aston Martin Rapide
2010 Mitsubishi Sedans
2010 Honda Accord Sedan
Upon introduction, the LX 5-Spd MT is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 177-horsepower engine that achieves 22-mpg in the city and 31-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. The EX-L V-6 5-Spd AT w/ Navigation System is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 271-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
2010 Acura RL
Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 300-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
The 2010 RL is a carryover from 2009.
2010 Ford Shelby GT500
Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 5.4-liter, V8, 540-horsepower, supercharged engine that achieves 14-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard.
2010 Ford F-450 SD Crew Cab 4X4
Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 6.4-liter, V8, 350-horsepower, turbo, diesel engine. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on the 172-in. WB XL Styleside DRW, and a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on the 172-in. WB Lariat Styleside DRW.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
2011 Hyundai Sonata
2010 Nissan Altima Sedan
Upon introduction, the 2.5 is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, I4, 175-horsepower engine that achieves 23-mpg in the city and 32-mpg on the highway. The 3.5 SR is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 270-horsepower engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. A variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.
2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Upon introduction, the C300 Sport Sedan is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, V6, 228-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. The C63 AMG Sport Sedan is equipped with a standard 6.2-liter, V8, 451-horsepower engine that achieves 12-mpg in the city and 19-mpg on the highway. A 7-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
2010 Honda Accord Sedan
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Bestowing Early Season Bonehead Blunder Awards
Here I'm thoroughly convinced that Formula One teams are comprised of the best and brightest minds in the automotive business. Each one of those racing machines, particularly those at the front end of the field, are absolute technological marvels. The amount of organizational, engineering, and mechanical knowledge floating around an F1 paddock is staggering. So, it's all the more befuddling when you see one repeated bone head move after another. It seems each week, the F1 circus is intent on one upping each other in blunders.
The true silly season started even before the start of the season. A big Boneheaded Blunder award deservedly goes to our very own USF1 entry, an ambitious project spearheaded by Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson. Big on intellectual horsepower, but woefully short on financial horsepower. Despite preparing early and appearing to have all their "ducks in a row," the team massively underestimated the budget required to even get started with producing a car. We should have known something was amiss when the team was a no-show at the first test session.
Speaking of no-showing at a test session, another big Boneheaded Blunder award goes to Christian Horner, Adrian Newey and the lads over at Red Bull Racing. They decided to skip one of the four test sessions so as to further refine the aerodynamic package - the thought being, "Why test when we're going to make changes?" Here's the reason: to develop reliability. Two races into the season, Sebastian Vettel has seen two easy victories turn into one forth place finish and one DNF. Instead of sitting on 50 points in the championship, he has 12. If we've learned one thing from modern F1, it's that building an early lead in the championship is critical. Will Red Bull make all the tests next pre-season? My money says "yes," particularly if Vettel can't overcome his early season deficit.
While Vettel was failing to finish last week's Australia Grand Prix, the cars of Virgin Racing, driven by Timo Glock and Lucas Di Grassi, went into the race knowing they wouldn't be around at the end. Somehow, with all the technical engineering know-how back at the shop, the boys at Virgin Racing designed a car with a fuel tank that was too small to see their cars to the end of the race in Melbourne. Last year, no big deal. This year, the first with no refueling allowed since 1993, it's a really, really big deal. It's not like they were a few drops shy. They estimated they were a ridiculous 12 liters shy of the fuel necessary, and that's what they admitted to. Either they're planning a very expensive redesign to accommodate a larger fuel cell, or we can expect the Virgin cars to be parked well before the end of several Grands Prix this year. To Virgin, I bestow another Boneheaded Blunder award.
All of the above was prior to today, when the big bully on the F1 block, Ferrari, made another colossal screw-up, bigger so than the shockingly foretelling Massa Malaysian Qualifying Mess-Up of '09. At the Sepang circuit today, both Ferraris were safely ensconced in the garage, out of the elements of the wind and rain, brilliant in their red finish, so sparkling as it was being bone dry. The other cars, mind you, were circling the wet track, posting timed laps - any time - in case the weather got worse. Ferrari gambled, and lost. The weather did get worse, the times grew slower, and by the time the cars of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa took to the track, a sailboat would have been a more preferred vehicle to post a fast time.
Gambling makes total sense when the goal is to be the quickest car. However, the goal of Q1 is not to be quickest; rather, the goal is to not be in the slowest seven, and thus earn your way into Q2. Ferrari gets to start Sunday's race in 19th and 21st. Alongside those honors, they can also show off their own Boneheaded Blunder award.
Car with Flying Lady Hood Ornament
When choosing what ornamentation you want, you have to narrow it down to three things: the type, the era you want it from, and the color. If you are going for the more 'fancy' look, you could simply pick a gemmed accessory. The color of wings is also important, because if your car is a color that does not match with the decoration, it may look just a little odd. Of course, if that's your style, go for it!
If you are going for a slightly different approach, say, gold plated? Then you should absolutely research in that alley. Gold may not be your thing, but it would definitely compliment any silver, white, or black cars immensely. Gold is dandy and all, but what if your just not a 'gold' person? Well, then, chrome is another choice! Not only does it match about any color in existence, but it also has a shining finish to it to top it off!
You might also want to consider the shape. Do you want your lady flying with angel wings, simple bird wings, no wings at all, or just simply gliding in the air? The variations are endless!
Finally, do you want the real thing, or a replica? Antiques cost a fortune, but owning one can bring a great amount of pride, and even more so when one is a rare. Replicas are more on the less expensive side, and can bring just about the same joy as an antique one could!
If you have decided on a replica winged flying lady, which style will you have installed on your ride? There are several color or finish variations of the modern day flying lady hood ornament nicknamed the hood bitch or home bred bitch; chrome wing with die-cast chrome body, gold wing with chrome body, gold body with chrome wings and gold wings with gold body. Besides the standard hood ornament, there is the illuminated flying lady hood ornament with color wings including amber, blue, green, purple and red]
Hood ornaments used to be purely for technical purposes: the radiator cap in the old days. It sat on top of the grille and served as a temperature taker of coolant fluid. When this became an art form, it began to 'speak volumes' about the owner.
Basically, it individualized your car. In the 1920s, 1930s, and the 1940s, these were popular and it created a healthy business. Chrome plate used to be unavailable and only silver and nickel plating was accessible.
Ferrari The Ultimate Supercar
The founder for Ferrari is Enzo Ferrari. Born on the 18th February 1898 in Modena, Italy, Ezno did not have a very formal education because he was not particularly interested in his studies. He was very determined in racing cars. He took up racing when he was 19 but did not have huge success, said Kjell Halvor Landsverk. Kjell landsverk
He then left the tracks and secured a job at Alfa Romeo. He took the job as a car racer with them and found bigger success than he did previously. After racing for Alfa Romeo for more or less 20 years, he left the company to set up his own company, the Auto-Avio Construzini to subsequently build his own racing cars under his own name, Ferrari, said Kjell Halvor Landsverk. The rest as they say is history.
The Enzo Ferrari was the Ferrari that was named exactly after its owner. This Ferrari was built in the year 2003 and it was built using some of the Formula 1 technologies. These technologies include F1-style carbon-ceramic brake discs, carbon-fiber body, and sequential shift transmission, said Kjell Halvor Landsverk. To build a car with the best performance, the designers of this Enzo Ferrari also went as far as to use banned Formula 1 technology which is the active and integrated aerodynamics.
The Enzo Ferrari has the largest engine as compared with the other Ferraris. Despite that fact, the Enzio Ferrari was made with inspirations from the racing tracks. With this reason, the frame of Enzio Ferrari was made out of carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb panels, said Kjell Halvor Landsverk.
This frame will then form a rigid tub for the Enzo Ferrari. In the middle of the frame is where the new large engine F140 is at. The all new F140 is actually a twelve cylinder engine. This particularly large engine is attached to the alloy sub-frame at two points. The purpose of this design is to prevent the vibrations from escaping into the passenger compartment.
As mentioned about the inspirations from the Formula 1, this Enzo Ferrari uses an electro hydraulic system that automatically activates the clutch and the gear changes. This is actually a semi-automatic gearbox and it helps the driver of the Enzo Ferrari to change their gears in 150 milliseconds. The driver may also achieve gear changes in 90 milliseconds if he is driving the Enzo Ferrari in sport mode, said Kjell Halvor Landsverk.
The uniqueness of this Enzo Ferrari also lies with the embedded electronic system that they used on the sport car. These embedded electronic systems are included to ensure the comfort of the driver while driving the Enzo Ferrari. The designers included a central computer that can synchronize the engine, the suspension, and the transmissions. Inside the Enzo Ferrari, the designers also included the aerodynamic subsystem to optimize the performance and also the wellbeing of the driver, said Kjell Halvor Landsverk.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Eye see: The piercing beam of the lamp is revealed Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1026210/Is-car-future-BMW-builds-roadste
Fabric 'eyelid covers the headlights
There is no need to lift the bonnet to get a look at the engine of this flexible motor - it opens from the centre like Hulk Hogan tearing off his T-shirt.
Opening and closing is similar to the mechanism on a doctor’s traditional medical bag, where clip-lock fasteners are held together in the middle by a rail.
The car doors wrinkle and the bonnet opens like a doctors' bag
Its skin is made of a silver expansion-resistant textile which stretches across movable metal wires controlled by hydraulics. The Gina (Geometry and Functions In Adaptions) has no bonnet, roof or boot.
Instead, a single sheet of cloth is layered over its frame, cocooning the driver in the ultra-modern cabin.
Movable parts are controlled by hydraulics operated from a driver's console
'The high-precision fit of the material to the metal mesh also allows surface changes without slackening the tension,' a spokesman said.
'It has a major impact on the interaction between driver and car and enhances it by offering a variety of entirely new options.'
BMW-car of the future
But BMW's latest concept car is exactly that - and it can change shape at the touch of a button.
The Gina - which at first glance looks like any other flashy sports car - is encased in fabric instead of metal panels.
Stylish Cobalt Headlights
When you own a car that is available in a large variety of options it can be assumed you went into some amount of detail to choose a particular variant. It can there be further deduced that you enjoy viewing cars in greater detail than the average car buyer. Which is great because there is a lot to admire in a good car.
Now you do not have to go into too much detail to realize that car headlights have a big impact on the looks and the performance of your car. But you should take the time to go into the detail of the latest car headlights available so that you can get the best performance and the best looks. Just like the other car components the headlights also benefit from the constant research and development efforts. And over a period of time the innovations and changes add on till such a time that the product has changed quite dramatically.
There are more powerful light sources now available that deliver a strong and steady beam. This beam however by itself is not enough even though it is powerful and bright. That is because a car headlight is not like a flash light which simply projects a beam straight out. A car headlight needs to shape the beam so that different amounts of light reach different areas. This is so that more light can reach that part of the road where you need it the most. To achieve this the latest Cobalt headlights have an innovative reflector.
Tips to use Cheap Car Insurance For Young Drivers
It is a known fact that the more experienced a person is the better is his judgment. Teenaged drivers are not known to have better judgment capacity till they teach their late teens (and that's the main reason why finding cheap car insurance for young drivers can be a challenge).
The traffic rules might allow them to start driving vehicles once they reach the age of 16 but it is worth noting that their brains are not completely ready for the act of actual driving till they grow older by 3 to 4 years.
There are a number of ways that will help you get cheap car insurance for young drivers. You could search for insurance websites on the Internet. If you submit one application a number of insurance companies will send you their quotes and parents or guardians could select the plan they feel would meet the requirements of their child.
Reputable insurance sites will provide you information detail about minimum coverage your child would require depending on state he/she lives in. They will also give you proper advice on the various options available that would be helpful in bringing down insurance rates for them. Some of the options would be: if your teenager is good in studies many insurance companies would be ready to give him/her a student discount.
If your child has succeeded in a driving test he/she would be eligible for a discount. The model as well as the make of the car your teenager drives decides his/her eligibility for cheap car insurance for young drivers. If the model of the car is old the impact of cheap insurance would be greater.
The reason for this is that young people who drive older cars with greater ratings of security are more qualified for insurance rates that are cheap than those who drive latest sports car models. Parents could have the choice of adding their teenager's insurance to their policy or getting a separate one for him/her. To decide on this you will have to research the Internet for car insurance as you will find a number of options there and it will help you to make your decision easily.
Other ways to get cheap car insurance for young drivers would be to see to it that your teenager attends driving classes held by insurance companies in order to learn the various aspects of safe driving. They instruct you on how to identify conditions of the road and ways to avoid faulty ones.
They teach you basic rules of safe driving during rush hours as well as precautions to be taken by the driver when he/she is driving at night. Youngsters will also learn manners on how to react in case they face unfavorable situations. Parents should involve their teen aged children when they are looking for car insurance for their youngsters.Toy Cars for Children-Electric
Electric toy cars for children can be a whole lot of fun! Children think these are fun and they like to ride them around the garden and maybe up hallways indoors. It is a joy for any parent to watch a child learn to ride their electric toy cars around the house and the garden; they seem to get better at driving them every day!
Electric ride on toy cars can cost a lot of money at times, depending on where you get them, the type of car you get and the size car that you get. There are many places to purchase electric cars, this includes, but is not limited to, the internet and specialist toy stores.
Adults sometimes seem to never grow up and they sometimes have a lot of fun just examining the latest electric toy cars. This is wonderful because their enthusiasm can encourage their children a little bit more. Many parents base what they but their child on toys they feel they would have hoped to own during their own childhood. How many could imagine not wanting a ride on vehicle of their very own?
There are many different manufacturers that make the toy cars and they try to make them appeal to children. They might make them colourful and bright or with a specific theme. Increasingly, electric toy cars are designed to look like miniatures of well known road vehicles. They can be super cars, 4X4s, quad bikes or motorcycles. It can be great fun for kids to have their own version of the car their parent or carer owns - or of the car they dream of having when they are grown up!
The wide ranges of colours available means that there should be a ride on car to suit every taste. Boys and girls are both catered for and many cars are available either in both masculine and feminine colours or in unisex shades. With Christmas and birthdays rolling around so quickly, it can sometimes seem a rush to choose and order toys, especially due to the constantly changing playground favourites. Electric toy cars are a good choice as they are always popular.
Ride on electric toy cars can be one of those toys which really add a whole new dimension to games or to a whole childhood. Everyone had toys which they treasured, which makes them remember their childhood with a smile. It is easy to see how an electric toy car can become a treasured childhood memory.
Electric toy cars are all a whole lot of fun. It is possible to get a variety of makes, models and motor strengths in ride on electric cars meaning they can be chosen to suit most needs. As with any motorised toy, it is important that parents do their research and find out exactly which car is best for their child. Suppliers and retailers are usually happy to answer any queries with regards to the suitability of their products for children of different ages and abilities.
Ford Body Kits Stand out in a Crowd
This is amazing how often a car that is compact in size is very big in its popularity and success. The reason of course lies in the fact that compact cars are best placed to give the car buyer maximum value. Small cars can be too small and big cars can be too expensive to operate and maintain. And compact cars are very well designed so that you get adequate space and yet they do not waste resources in giving anything that is unnecessary and excessive. These cars are therefore luxurious without being wasteful.
Fortunately Ford Focus body kits are available in a much wider range of choices than the stock car. This means you are able to choose those which appeal to you and reflect your style and attitude. You can choose a color and style that is indicative of your individuality. You can also show your individuality by the choice of the components that you get installed. Most components enhance the looks of the car but come like a car spoiler enhance the aerodynamics as well. You can even mix and match components from more than one set of components to create an exclusive look.
Monday, March 22, 2010
G-Power BMW 760i, with tailor-made BMW body parts and top speed 345 km/h
The company approach is based on limited-edition customized cars and a total rebuild of the engine, in order to create the most powerful and fastest BMW in the world.
The latest masterpiece is the G-Power 760i Storm which fills a gap in the BMW programme: M-Feeling for the BMW "Luxusliner". The car has a 725 hp power, maximum speed of 345 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 11.9 seconds.
G-Power has decided to focus on the BMW flagship in the luxury segment, developing a concept based on optimization of aerodynamics, rims and BMW performance parts for increased engine power. The latter is achieved by substantially modifying the two "TwinPower" turbo chargers used by BMW on their 6-litre V12 engine. Work with compressor manufacturer ASA significantly improved the performance of the superchargers without affecting their endurance.
As a result, the maximum boost pressure of 0.5 bar rises to 0.9 bar. Further work on the engine ensures that the increased boost pressure is transformed into extra power. This provides an additional 181 hp (133 KW) which enhances the overall performance to 725 hp at 5,500 r.p.m and a maximum torque of 1000 Nm even at 2,000 r.p.m. In order to achieve this impressive extra performance, larger injection valves and an entirely new exhaust system for the reduction of dynamic pressure, including the required sports catalysers, have been added. A re-programmed engine control and significant modifications of BMW´s serial 8-speed transmission complete the package.
The enormous performance potential of the BMW V12 bi-turbo engine modified by G-Power propels the car into the top range of its vehicle class. But it is also vastly improved by the visual appearance of the aerodynamics kit of BMW body parts which was exclusively developed for the Storm. The aerodynamics pack improves cold air supply to the cooling water and oil coolers at the vehicle front due to the enlarged air inlets at the front skirt and the vent holes in the bonnet. These changes have improved overall cooling performance by about 15 percent.
The most outstanding component of the G-Power aerodynamics kit for the BMW 760i is the strikingly styled front skirt made of carbon fibre which entirely replaces the original part. It gives the serially unobtrusive front of the current BMW 7-model the aggressive lines that a 725 hp car with a top speed of 345 km/h deserves. Another highlight is the G-Power Storm bonnet made of hybrid Kevlar, with central Venturi engine compartment ventilation which operates when the vehicle is in motion, and two lateral ABS grids for ventilation when the car stands still, ensuring improved venting of hot air from both turbo chargers out of the engine compartment. These features are pivotal in the new face of the BMW 760i.
The G-Power full carbon add-ons for the serial side skirts and the doors provide a visually harmonious connection between the wheel wells by visually stretching the silhouette of the BMW 7-model. The wheels themselves are forged three-part G-Power Silverstone RS aluminium wheels measuring 9.5x22 and 10.5x22 inches which are equipped with high-performance Michelin tyres, 265/30 ZR 22 at the front axle and 295/25 ZR 22 at the rear axle. Set up this way, the G-Power 760i Storm always delivers optimum traction and sporty handling, which is further improved by the G-Power sports spring set and a 30 mm lowering.
At the rear, a full carbon rear spoiler and a full carbon diffuser which elegantly enhance the 4 x 100 mm end pipes with integrated G-Power logo generate more downforce at the rear axle and at the same time provide a visual focus for the back section. The interiors of the car have been refined with exclusive accessories such as an ergonomically shaped sports steering wheel, a G-Power speedometer, and fine carbon rails for the side casing, central console and dashboard. Further customer requirements for exclusive interiors can always be accommodated, including all possible leather and ultra-suede colours.
The G-Power 760i Storm is available only in a strictly limited edition of just 10 automobiles world-wide, and it is offered at an overall price of € 365,000 (net) from the G-POWER manufactory in Autenzell. The long version G-Power 760iL Storm F02 can be obtained at a surcharge of € 10,000. G-Power was founded in 1983 and ever since it has focused exclusively on tuning BMW automobiles. In 2008, the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary. G-Power holds various world records and its 750 hp BMW M5 Hurricane RS is the fastest limousine in the world. Further information is available at: www.g-power.deRemote Control Cars
The cheering of the crowd, the adrenaline rush of the players and the mounting excitement overwhelming the scene say it all. Indeed, when it comes to racing, RC cars are pretty fascinating!
RC cars, otherwise known as remote control or radio control cars, are gathering the smoke in the hobby racing arena. It grabs the spotlight like a newly launched rocket. As a fact, RC racing is swiftly attracting both the young and the old to savor the excitement and nerve-racking thrill brought about by RC cars.
If you are not yet hooked by this new racing phenomenon, brace yourself and discover the pleasure of this hobby. RC cars are famed at a hobby level. The hobby becomes more and more addicting. The sight of both men and women in various age groups racing RC cars is no longer novel to the eyes. Nowadays, RC racing is introduced to a higher level of racing involvement. With fine tuning and professional RC racers around, RC racing can be deemed to be more than just an ordinary hobby.
RC cars can be purchased unassembled in a kit, in a completely assembled, or in ready to run (rtr) condition. RC cars are now offered with a wide-variety of options. They come in different styles, colors, built, and features.
If you are planning to purchase RC cars, be sure that you are getting the best that you can have. Options include electric or gas powered RC cars, on-road and off-road models, assembled or unassembled, and car or truck models.
You may ask, which between gas powered and electric RC car is the best choice? Well, the most influential factor in choosing RC car is the source of power. There are pros and cons in possessing both models.
A nitro powered RC car, as its name implies, run on nitro gasoline. This type of RC car is the most popular in the arena. It is also the fastest growing segment in RC cars. Nitro RC vehicles boast their power and speed. They can actually jump at high speed and smoothly drive on the roads without staggering.
Generally, nitro powered RC cars run faster than their electric counterparts. In addition, there are some that can run as fast as 70 mph. Moreover, high-speed driving thrills you, a nitro powered RC car is the best for you.
Gas powered RC cars run on specially formulated fuel. Most of them employ a pull start engine that can be likened to a lawnmower. However, one drawback of this RC car type is that it can be complicated. You have to carefully follow the instructions to make it function well. Nonetheless, nitro cars are not good for beginners.
Electric RC cars, on the other hand, are user-friendly. They run on batteries. Most of these batteries are made rechargeable. They are easy to operate and care for. Electric RC cars are inexpensive. If your finances are precluding you from buying expensive RC cars, electric RC cars can be your most feasible solution. Indeed, electric RC cars are great for beginners in the RC car arena.
An electric RC car can serve as your first RC car. You can practice on it to perfect your driving skills without wasting hefty money. In fact, you can buy electric RC car for any budget. The drawback of this type is that it is slower compared to nitro powered car.
If you plan to purchase an electric RC car, be sure to slowly break in the motor. This is to done to extend the life of the motor and to attain its full potentials.Not A Slot Car But It Sure Is Fast
Wing cars are the fastest genre of slot cars. Measuring 3 1/4" wide and 8" long they are also the largest. Where as most slot cars at least resemble an automobile, the "wing cars" do not. They have a super lightweight lexan body that is wedge shaped and is shaped to conform itself just over the underlying mechanicals of the chassis and drive train underneath. Attached to the front is a stiff dia-plane that rides the surface of the track and scoops air over the body. The rear has a clear spoiler that extends up a couple of inches. Along the sides are long tall clear mylar air dams.
What this body system does, is funnel and trap high speed air between the air dams and caused a huge down force effect. This may seem counter productive for strait line speed, but rest assured with high RPM electric motors costing as much as $500 each. Some of these wing cars have achieved 66 miles per hour. Blink and you miss it. The reason these machines can get around a twisting road course is due to the incredible down force keeping the wing car planted in the slot as it traverses the turns.
You may be asking how such a crazy machine came out of a hobby that was based on putting motors into realistic car models. It is the ultimate progression of the need for speed. When the kids in the 60's just wanted faster cars and didn't care about scale appearance. This was a decade of car culture, where icons like Big Daddy Roth and Von Dutch built wild looking custom cars. Custom slot cars were destined to follow suit, and these slot cars were free to improve on aerodynamics, wheel size and center of gravity. Naturally this made them faster. They became what were called "thingies" by the scale majority as a derogatory term.
By the 1970's, thingies with air dams appeared and became the dominant form of racing for the next 25 years. This is why the derogatory term was dropped, since scale racers no longer participated in commercial racing. It was replaced with "wing car" which is the shortened easy way of saying winged slot car. Strangely, the wing crowd still classify their machines as 1 24 slot cars. Don't be confused, This just means they race on the tracks designed for 1/24 scale model cars.
Monday, March 15, 2010
What To Look For While Purchasing Hybrid Cars?
Hybrid car is a viable option only if you will be using it for a good number of years, which means at least 10 years. If you purchase a hybrid for anything less than that, then you are not making such a big difference to the environment, while you are going really heavy on your pocket. The upfront cost of hybrids is quite a lot. A small hybrid car will cost from $21,000 up to $26,000, whereas larger sedans cost around $30,000. Also, keep in mind the average maintenance costs of the vehicles. The bottom line to choosing the hybrid vehicle is the price. How much can you afford? Check out the payment plan, upfront costs along with the monthly instalments. Does this fit your financial plan?
Determine the type of hybrid car you are looking for. Hybrids come in a variety; you should decide the type according to your needs, family size, lifestyle, budget etc. You can choose from some of the small hybrid cars which have good gas mileage, or you can choose the bigger, more accommodating SUVs.
Research is crucial before buying a hybrid. It is a good idea to check out various dealers to get the best package. Battery life of hybrids is another factor to research about. You must know beforehand the battery life of the hybrid that you are interested in, as replacing the battery costs from $3000 to $5000 and is not covered in warranties. Battery life can range from a few years to ten, depending on the usage. The battery packs found in hybrid cars last for a little over 100,000 miles.
Also consider waiting for the new electric vehicles to come in for use by the public in the years to come. If you do not need a hybrid urgently, why not wait and see the upcoming vehicles.
Check out the warranty of cars. The loner the warranty, the more reliable the car is. Look for tax rebates, concessions etc. Always deal with a reliable car dealer when getting a hybrid. Read up reviews on the particular hybrid you are considering. Go to forums and talk about the model in particular in which you are interested. Compare different models. Some of the popular options are Honda Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius, with Accord Hybrid by Honda and Escape Hybrid by Ford following closely.
Ensure that you are comfortable in your new hybrid. Drive around and see how it feels; see if it is this really your dream car? Do you want to own it for the next 10 years?
BMW 5 Series Body Kits
Premium cars too can be embellished with body kits. This is the next step that one takes after acquiring a car. At this stage the car lovers impart their individual touch to the car. They do not want their car to be lost amongst so many others. They actually customize the car according to their tastes. They also employ it as a vehicle to project their personality besides being a vehicle to take them from one place to other. Different materials are in use for making body kits. One has to be aware of their merits and demerits before deciding to select BMW 5 series body kits. A very wide choice of shapes and designs of BMW 5 series body kits is on offer. That makes it easy for the buyers to find one that meets their requirements. Since body kits have some uses they have to be installed in the correct professional way. You can not afford to take any risk when they are to be fitted in a premium car.
Nissan performance chips increase power
Nissan has been known for manufacturing some of the toughest car models, which can be driven in almost every kind of terrain. They have manufactured some of the best 4x4s. So keeping all these things in mind, the extraordinary performance in every field one finds it very difficult to sort out that what should be the upgrade in the car.
For the ones who are fond of adventures and really like to have an off road cross country experience, each and every it of power increase matters a lot. So if they want to have an increase in the horse power of the engine, the best thing for them ids to add in a performance chip in their car, that will re-programme their ECU settings that will alter the performance of the engine according to your desire.
These chips are very easy to install and start functioning as soon as you fit them in. these chips are designed on the principle of plug n play, that is why they take very less time to get installed including their programming. These performance chips use most extensive programming to maximize the horse power and torque of the engine. In it the fuel and timing curves are modified which results in peak performance and drivability. The greater number of horse power also generates the larger amount of heat which requires more frequent air intake and free flow of exhaust.
The performance chips are the best choice to increase the horse power of the vehicle in best possible time, moreover they don't even cost that much. One spends a lot of money to enhance the outlook of their car, in order to make it more appealing and desirous. But that car is of no us which can not justify its looks. So to match the appearance it got to have that extra something in its engine and that's the purpose of these performance chips.
A lot of good online shops are offering the latest types of these performance chips which range in all categories. You just have to gain some knowledge regarding the particular subject and then you are all set to go. Search as much as you want and then select the best thing that you feel is good in every aspect. Once the searching is completed and you have placed your order with some shop, then your work here is done. Rest all the tasks will be performed by the provider, he will deliver your performance chip right at your door step with in minimum possible time.
Exciting Features Of Hybrid Cars
The hybrid vehicles use dual source of energy to operate, which makes them highly environment friendly. They emit substantially less pollutants into the air in comparison to gasoline-operated cars. The amount of pollutants and harmful emissions is half when compared to conventional automobiles. The cost of purchasing a hybrid car is higher than that of buying normal models. But, when you consider the overall expense of buying a car, a hybrid car will prove to be more economical.
The biggest and best car companies of the world are coming up with exciting new models of hybrid cars. The concept of green marketing is at a rise in all the fields of life. The car industry is also coming up with new earth-saving ideas, wrapped in funky package to make consumers more excited at the prospect of using a green car.
BMW has come up with an exciting new concept car, Vision Efficient Dynamics. It is basically a 2+2 seater, with full hybrid technology. BMW is aiming to prove that Vision Efficient Dynamics can do zero to 100kph in 4.8 seconds. This car has been given the signature M vehicle of BMW. The fuel efficiency is also said to exceed the smallest cars today, i.e. just 3.76 litres per 100 kilometres. The most important green factor of this BMW car is that it has a minimum carbon dioxide emission rating of just 99 grams per kilometre.
Honda has also not been left behind in its production of green cars. It offers the Civic sedan, highly rated hybrid car. Hybrid technology of Honda manages to push the fuel economy ratings to 40 mpg city and 45 mpg highway with its 110-horsepower gas-electric power plant. However, its acceleration is compromised a little in exchange of fuel efficiency.
The best thing about hybrid version of the Toyota Camry is that it rides and feels more like a standard midsized sedan and less like a low-powered compromise. In fact, it has been reviewed as faster than the non-hybrid four-cylinder Camry. It has a far better fuel economy than non-hybrid Camry. The Toyota Camry Hybrid gets about 34 mpg in mixed driving versus about 25 mpg for the standard Camry. The only drawback can be high sticker price as compared to non-hybrid family cars, as well as reduced trunk space.
Mercedes-Benz also unveiled its latest hybrid project at the New York Auto Show in April 2009, namely the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid. Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid is the first vehicle in the world to offer gasoline, diesel and hybrid alternatives. The ML450 Hybrid promises to provide a 21 mpg in the city and 24 mpg highway, which is relatively less than its other hybrid counterparts.
The skyrocket prices of gasoline has aided in popularity of Hybrid cars. They are regarded as extremely fuel efficient as they combine two sources of energy. The Owners of hybrid vehicles do not need to be worried about the ever-increasing gasoline prices. Hybrid vehicles are also called green cars as they offer lesser fuel consumption and greater environmental friendliness.Saturday, February 20, 2010
Jaguar Accessories Helping To Boost Jaguar Sales
Thankfully though, Jaguar has managed to bounce back to the leading group and in some areas has managed to surpass the efforts of their rivals with the new range of cars. The new XJ and XF models which features a range of Jaguar accessories has managed to reignite a fire in the fans of the car giant that has been missing for some time. The quality and prestige that had gone missing is suddenly back.
The latest offering from Jaguar, the XJ comes with a number of authorized jaguar accessories that will excite and boost people perception of the manufacturer's image. One of these optional jaguar accessories is the option to have larger alloys with low profile tyres. Nothing too special there you think, you can pretty much do that on any car these days. Well yes that is true, but that is where the similarities stop and the range of jaguar accessories really takes off.
For just 400 pounds you can have a parking sensor fitted to your car which integrates sensors with an onboard camera which works in collaboration with your interior viewing screen. For an additional 300 pounds you can get a heated leather steering wheel. Now that is something that you can't get on every car out on the market at the moment. Moving back to sensors and monitors for a moment you can also have a tyre pressure monitoring system fitted to your car that will enable you to keep track of your pressures at all times.
Future of Hybrid Cars
Hybrid cars have always lived up to their touted ability to save gas, but unless your soul is painted green this was not necessarily of any benefit to the average consumers. Most hybrid cars end up costing more than their standard engine counterparts over the long term, largely due to their initial cost. In addition, hybrid parts can be hard and expensive to obtain.
These are some of the key issues that need to be resolved from a consumer's perspective in order to make the mass purchase of hybrids by the public a reality. It should come as no surprise that in terms of long term cost, the original manufacturer of the hybrid, Toyota, is far ahead of its competitors when it comes to addressing the purchasing needs of consumers. This is currently the only model that over time will actually save a consumer some dollars because of gas savings. Here are some other models of hybrid cars slated for debut in the next few years.
Toyota Prius: Still the gold standard for hybrids, the Prius 2007 model is now being advertised for sale and is in the lot of a dealership near you. The model brags an incredible 110 miles to a single gallon. It is also expected that Toyota will continue to set the standard when it comes to speed for the hybrid (which has been another knock on hybrid vehicles, although they can maintain a legal speed along with any other model of vehicle just fine) as the 2004 model was designed to reach speeds of up to 130 miles per hour. $20,875 US dollars.
Ford Escape: The 2005 is the latest model in the Ford hybrid line, and is great for both domestic car enthusiasts and those who insist on having a sports utility vehicle. The Escape offers 50 miles to the gallon (keep in mind that it is an SUV) and all the luxuries of a standard model car. $27,000 USD.
Volvo S60 Sedan
This sedan from Volvo Cars came to be introduced back in 2000. The Volvo P2 platform serves as it base and this platform is shared by the Volvo S60 with the Volvo S80, Volvo V70, and the Volvo XC90. This vehicle was designed by Peter Horbury and is one of the first "curvy Volvos". It had an advertising tagline that said "Revolvolution". Four years after its introduction, the Volvo S60 was slightly restyled and along with that, it had lost its headlamp wipers to be replaced by jet wipers, and also lost the 2.4 liter engine for a more powerful 2.5 liter engine. At present, the Volvo S60 has a 107 inch wheelbase, an overall length of 180 inches, 71 inches in width, 56 inches of height, and a weight of 3289 to 3400 pounds. Its engine has a power of 103 to 191 kW and a torque of 192 to 350 N*m.
The latest redesign of the Volvo S60 is the 2006 model with its four doors, maximum of five passenger capacity, and is available as a luxury sedan or luxury sports sedan. It has been made available in four trims that ranges from the 2.5 T to the R. The 2006 Volvo S60 is a carryover of the 2005 Volvo S60. Also, this luxury sedan is the best-selling model from the Volvo brand and has abundant standard features. And as per Volvo standards, this vehicle comes well-equipped with safety features that is all part of Volvo's core values, making this vehicle strong and safe at the same time. This Volvo S60 comes with an Environmental Product Declaration that is certified by Lloyd's Register of London in the United Kingdom - it certifies that the Volvo S60 has met environmental standards throughout the life cycle of the car.
The interior of the Volvo S60 offers a lot of space and is able to provide a maximum of 42.6 inches of leg room up front, with the head room topping it out at 38.7 inches. It has standard and optional features like any other vehicle, yet this vehicle's list of features includes air conditioning with dual-zone manual climate control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel that is wrapped and leather and has mounted radio controls, power folding rear headrests, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, an AM/FM/cassette/CD player, leather upholstery, a power passenger seat, a power sunroof, a trip computer, and a simulated-wood interior trim.