Automobiles

Ford Drops to Two Brands

2010-12-27T18:00:00.000-08:00

When Mercury was shuttered, Ford became home to just two brands: Ford and Lincoln. Over the past few years Ford has sold off Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin to focus on its core brands. Mercury's elimination signals the birth of a more streamlined Ford Motor Co. — an unfamiliar concept for many industry watchers. Then again, Ford hasn't taken any government bailout money, so maybe they're onto something.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Becomes a Top Seller

2010-12-27T17:57:00.000-08:00

For years, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord dominated sedan sales figures. The redesigned Hyundai Sonata, however, has given both companies a new player to keep an eye on. The Sonata has been a top 10 seller almost every month since April, wowing car buyers and reviewers alike.

HONDA

2010-12-27T17:44:00.000-08:00

Also known for its motorcycles and other products, Honda is an import success story -- a small company that has had best-selling models in many U.S. vehicle classes. Once a leader in efficiency and other environmental concerns, Honda is suffering an identity crisis as competitors meet or exceed its reputation for mileage, quality and reliability. Though Honda beat Toyota to the U.S. market with a gas-electric hybrid car, the company's simpler technology doesn't provide the dramatic efficiencies seen in hybrids from Toyota's and Ford's various brands. Honda's styling, and that of its Acura luxury division, has come under fire recently as well.
Despite these slips, Honda's well-earned reputation still shows in popular, well-rounded models like the CR-V compact crossover, the Fit subcompact hatchback and the Civic compact sedan and coupe, the latter of which are impressive despite being years into their current generation. The midsize Accord sedan and coupe remain steady sellers, though the new Accord Crosstour wagon struggles to find buyers. The Insight five-seat hatchback hybrid has underperformed in the market, perhaps because its mileage doesn't compare to that of the Toyota Prius or even the Civic Hybrid. A new two-seat hybrid, the CR-Z, offers even lower mileage, confounding shoppers.
Honda's larger vehicles include the unique Element SUV and the mid/full-size Pilot crossover, which seats eight in three rows. Though it was one of the first crossovers of its type, the Pilot has seen its quality slip. The Odyssey minivan remains a strong competitor in a shrinking field. Although it never caught on as hoped, the clever Ridgeline pickup truck soldiers on.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Honda Motor Co. remains one of very few independent, unaffiliated automakers.

Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology

Stunning Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

2010-02-01T03:18:00.000-08:00

Stunning Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

The Gallardo Superleggera is a hardcore limited edition Lambo

30 September 2008

All eyes are on Paris – Lamborghini will unveil a mystery new model at the 2008 Paris Motor Show this week.

To celebrate the launch of an all-new Lambo, Vijay Pattni looks at the sensational limited edition Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera.

Most people probably wouldn’t complain about a Ferrari– but Ferrucio Lamborghini wasn’t ‘most people’.

The Italian engineer – who started out building tractors – felt his Ferrari could do with a better clutch and took it back to the father of Ferrari, Enzo – who batted him away and said: “What you gonna do?”

Ferrucio was furious. He stormed off and sat down to work on his own designs for a supercar – one that would take the smile off Enzo’s face and replace it with a big tyremark.

And today the battle between the Italian stallions rages on – and one of the newest recruits to fight Lamborghini’s cause is the Lamborghini Gallardo.

The Gallardo was launched in 2003 as a direct competitor to the Ferrari 360, and is the Lamborghini Murcielago’s baby brother – but there is nothing ‘baby’ about its performance.

Straight out of the box the standard Gallardo will happily churn out 490bhp from its 5-litre V10 engine, which steadily grew to a healthy 510bhp.

And thanks to its sensational sleek design, four-wheel-drive system and mid-engine layout, the Gallardo is one of the finest supercars in the world.

But Lamborghini wanted more – it wanted a harder, faster and more capable version of the Gallardo to compete with the Ferrari F430 Scuderia.

Ferrari Enzo – in matt black

2010-02-01T03:04:00.000-08:00

Ferrari Enzo – in matt black

13 October 2009

May Starey and Vijay Pattni bring you the coolest cars in the universe.

Because these brooding beauties wouldn’t look out of place in Gotham City. You can forget the Batmobile however – for sheer menace there is no substitute for a matt black paintjob.

From a rare to a modified, these are the world’s coolest paintjobs on showcased on some of the world’s hottest cars…including capable of 194mph.

Let’s be honest, even if you rocked up in a sporting matt black paintwork, you’d get our respect.

Click below to view pictures of some of the world’s hottest cars – in matt black paint.

Gallery: Matt black cars

BEST AMERICANS CARS

2010-02-01T03:01:00.000-08:00

Corvette ZR1

Chevrolet is one of motoring’s most iconic brands thanks to models such as the Stingray and Corvette.

Its greatest engineering achievement is the new ZR1. With a 6.2-litre V8 engine, the ZR1 has 634bhp spinning the rear wheels from 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds and 0-100mph in 7 seconds.

And unlike many American sports cars over. As a result of all the testing undertaking on the gruelling 14 mile circuit, the 205mph ZR1 lapped the track in 7 minutes 26.4 seconds.

In comparison, the Ferrari Enzo lapped the same track in 7 minutes 25.3 seconds.

But while you’ll pay more than £800,000 for a used Enzo today, you can get a ZR1 for £109,000.

SSC Ultimate Aero TT

Many people are still adamant that the Bugatti Veyron is the world’s fastest production car, but in today’s world 253mph doesn’t really cut it.

The SSC Ultimate Aero TT entered the Guinness Book of Records for fastest car.

Now that’s impressive, but the fact it was driven by a 71-year old by the name of Chuck Bigelow never fails to amaze us.

This ridiculous speed is down to a 6.2-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine which develops 1,183bhp and 1,094 lb/ft of pulling power. Oh, and it wheel spins at 190mph.

SSC claims its latest version of the Ultimate Aero TT will hit 270mph. We like.

Gallery: SSC and the world's fastest cars

The best American cars

2010-02-01T03:00:00.000-08:00

The best American cars

20 October 2009

With the Americans finally building credible all-round sports cars, Adrian Hearn picks his five favourite.

America invented the muscle car.

The likes of Ford, Chevrolet and Pontiac became famous for its two door saloons with V8 engines, rear-wheel drive and a whole lotta attitude.

But our friends across the Atlantic also un-invented the corner which meant these brutish motors with awesome soundtracks were great on a straight but you needed Steve McQueen’s prowess to take one through a bend a speed.

For years this has been the case however everything has changed in recent times as the USA appears to be building some cracking performance cars.

Devon GTX

We won’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of Devon Motorworks – it’s a new company founded by a fella called Scott Devon who’s known in the states as a frozen food supplier. So far so bad.

However, Devon has assembled a crack team of individuals to build a bona fide supercar which uses an 8.4-litre V10 engine developing 650bhp.

Gallery: The Devon GTX

No performance figures have been released yet but the GTX is sub-4 second 0-62mph car which will be able to exceed 200mph.

And despite having that big engine out front, the GTX has been proved a nifty handler, setting an unofficial lap record at the Mazda Raceway aka Laguna Seca, beating the Nissan GT-R.

It’s going to cost a little more than the£56,000 Nissan GT-R with the GTX getting a £310,000 price-tag. Devon handed the GTX its official debut at this year’s Pebble Beach show in California, getting a fairly good reception considering this concourse is an event more targeted at 1930s car lovers.

Cars in chrome

2010-02-01T02:58:00.000-08:00

Cars in chrome

09 November 2009

Bodykits are so passé...if you want your car to make the ultimate statement; it’s got to be chromed. Stuart Milne and May Starey bring you some of the best.

You’ve got the bling watch, rings and chain, so you need that megabucks look for your car. That means one thing – get it covered in chrome.

And we’re not talking about just the bumpers like classics from the sixties – it’s the whole car, from nose to tail.

You can’t just chrome any car either. Turning a Vauxhall Belmont into a silver dream machine would look plain naff. But a McLaren Mercedes SLR? That’ll do nicely.

Check out our exclusive gallery for some of the most bling cars in the world.

World's Most Beautiful Cars

2010-02-01T02:51:00.000-08:00

World’s most beautiful cars

So good you wanna eat it

21 January 2010

It’s been a miserable month so far hasn’t it? The snow has plagued the nation, it’s still freezing outside and summer seems an eternity away.

So Auto Trader’s editorial team has decided to give you a bit of romance, a bit of beauty and some pretty pictures to look at to help ease the weather woes.

We’ve pulled together the most beautiful cars (in our opinion of course) to ever see the light of day.

From the Alfa 8C Competizione to the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, here are cars styled to make your heart flutter and swoon.

Click below for our image gallery

When footballers modify

2010-02-01T02:43:00.000-08:00

When footballers modify

Being a professional footballer is a pretty sweet gig if you ask us.

You get paid for kicking a ball around for more than 90 minutes two or three times a week, and – if you’re lucky and not totally devoid of talent – get the chance to represent your country.

View images of footballers' cars

Take Manchester City player Stephen Ireland – he signed for the Blues when he was just 15 years old, and now at 23, is still with the club which recently lost the country’s most expensive player in the shape of Brazilian talisman Robinho.

Thanks to Man City’s very deep pockets, Stephen Ireland earns a reported £70,000 per week – more than enough to finance his £5 million Cheshire mansion next door to Manchester United rivals Wayne Rooney and Wes Brown.

Oh, and it’s also more than enough to finance his fleet of luxury modified cars.

Auto INsurance

2009-12-22T09:14:00.000-08:00

Car InsuranceCar insurance is a type of insurance coverage that provides protection to the car owner against unexpected and unforeseen accidental injuries, damage, theft or third party liabilities. Car insurance helps in avoiding unnecessary expenses. Third party only and comprehensive or package policy are two types of car insurance are there for the car owners. Bike InsuranceBike insurance offers cover for damages and injuries and minimize risks and costs. Without insurance, both the motorcyclist and his vehicle are left with serious damages. But with the help of bike insurance one can claim for compensation and cover the cost of damage done to them and the vehicle.

Aston Martin One-77 hits 220mph

2009-12-22T09:05:00.000-08:00

Aston Martin’s One-77 supercar is set to be the marque’s fastest production car yet, having been clocked at more than 220mph in testing.The 7.3-litre V12-powered One-77 – which saw its UK debut at this year’s Salon Prive Motor Show – recorded a top speed of 220.007mph in dry yet windy conditions at a southern European proving ground last week. Aston expects it to be able to go even faster in better conditions. The £1.2 million supercar smashed the record for fastest road-going Aston as held by the Vanquish – with its top speed of just over 200mph – during a series of test runs carried-out ahead of first deliveries to customers in the summer.As the name suggests, production is limited to 77 individually numbered examples, with buyers required to make a £200,000 deposit to secure one. The two-door, two-seat sports coupe features a carbon fibre monocoque chassis and active aerodynamics.We spotted Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay drooling over the rare supercar back in July amidst speculation the rare supercar would make its way into the singer's huge car collection.Its creators describe the Aston Martin One-77 as the ultimate expression of what the British marque stands for, combining innovative technology, craftsmanship with the ultimate in exclusivity. In their words, it’s the “world’s most desirable automotive art form”. Now to win the lottery…

Yamaha CB1000R

2009-12-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

The raw, sharply sculpted CB1000R exhibits traits of its European descent. As compact as a regular Indian-built 150cc motorcycle, the CB1000R visibly concentrates the bulk of its mass low, and in the proximity of its centre of gravity. This muscular Honda deploys few decals other than a familiar pair of wings adorning its tank. Black is predominantly used, with a number of nickel-plated allen-key bolts that add a glimmering contrast around the engine bay.Its diminutive front mudguard is sporty, and sits just ahead of a prominent ‘Z’-shaped radiator cowl. Between its two fat inverted telescopic forks sits a thoroughly modern, conical headlight with a chin set blue-tinted circular lamp.The CB1000R uses futuristic LCD instruments that are blue backlit in three adjustable states of dimness. These offer a bar-style rev counter and fuel gauge, digital speedometer, engine temperature and clock, as well as odometer and twin-trip functions apart from the usual gauges. This bike is practically burglar-proof thanks to the HISS feature—Honda’s Ignition Security System which prevents the engine from firing up without its original keys. A wide, flat handlebar mounts palm-friendly grips, really top-of-the-line, reach-adjustable buffed alloy levers and top-notch switches that provide a hazard warning button and engine kill switch. As on most superbikes, riders cannot switch off the CB1000R’s headlight which will only toggle between low and high beams.The smart-looking fuel tank provides an aircraft-style fuel-filler and a superbly integrated tank pad that leads smoothly into the riding saddle. A light step separates the rider from passenger, and you need to look hard to locate this bike’s neatly tucked grab recesses. The rear seat covers a tiny lockable storage cubby.You can’t help but marvel at the CB’s stubby four-into-one silencer, which sits just ahead of a completely exposed rear wheel. There’s a massive single-side swingarm on the other side. The CB1000R is available across India in two paint schemes—metallic green and black. It goes without saying that this big Honda comes with an outstanding attention to every design detail.The CB1000R’s four-stroke engine is basically a modified version of the brilliant Fireblade optimistic unit. Its four liquid-cooled cylinders sit in the traditional in-line-four configuration. The pistons, valves and dual overhead camshafts are altered. As is fueling — Honda’s renowned PGM-FI electronic fuel injection system — now with single injection for each cylinder, as opposed to dual injection on the Fireblade. The ignition system is computerised on this bike and magnesium alloy is used for construction of its four-valve-per-cylinder head. Keeping excess torque at bay is the CB1000Rs Intake Air Control Valve (IACV) while an oxygen sensor and 300-cell catalytic converter work to keep engine emissions at a minimum.

FAST DRIVE

2009-12-22T06:47:00.000-08:00

Driving the fastest Bentley ever at a snail’s pace seems a bit odd, but that’s exactly what I’ve been doing for the past few minutes. We’re making our way out from the Spanish town of Seville and with all the speed restrictions, running this car at anything more than Maruti Alto-matching pace is simply out of the question. But Bentleys have always been a treat to drive, slow or fast, and so I soak up the ambience of this otherwise 621bhp rocket sled of a car. Unlike the regular Continental, that is all but inaudible at slow speeds, there’s a woofle and boom from the exhaust pipes of the Supersports every time you step on the gas. And all it takes to get the heavy brass section of the Bentley to perform is a mere blip on the throttle or a downshift via the paddles. It’s a cool day, so I crack the windows open and smile, as music from the exhausts reverberates and bounces off the stone walls of the little villages we are now passing through. Though the volume is well contained, the noise this car makes is expansive and large. Best of all however is that the Bentley with very little encouragement is willing it to drastically alter its pace. All it takes to bare the fangs of this sea-smoothened rock sculpture is a mere tap on the accelerator pedal. And then wham, it changes from lap dog to grizzly bear in a second. And that little bit of turbo lag that was present in the original Continental is gone.Since I’m cruising, I select the softest suspension setting. And though I can feel the stiffness in the chassis and suspension, ride quality is surprisingly good. Sure, some of the larger and sharper-edged bumps go thump, thump, but the suspension isn’t thrashy or uncomfortable. And that, when you think about the low 30 profile tyres and huge 20-inch rims, is just amazing. A big improvement over the earlier Continental GT that even on its softest setting and more appropriate tyres, never felt as comfortable as this. While the insides of the Supersports have been stripped down to make the car lighter, Bentley has managed to keep the essence of the car intact. The twin cockpit arrangement of the dash still looks extra special, the sunken dials give this car a solid look and the very generous splashes of chrome lift the ambience of the cabin. I especially love the manner in which the all-chrome vents frost over completely. There’s also generous amounts of quilted Alcantara and the heavily machined all-alloy gear selector just looks like a million bucks. Only the slightly older version of the VW Group’s sat-nav screen and some cheap-looking off-the-shelf buttons spoil an otherwise brilliant cabin. And that’s despite the car’s distinctly diet interiors. To cut weight, there are no rear seats and the oak tree that moonlights as the dashboard has been replaced by lighter carbon fibre paneling. The traditional powered front seats have also been discarded. The clamshell-backed racecar-like seats I’m sitting on are beautifully finished and, when the car is being cornered, feel more comfortable than the regular seats. Similar looking to those in the Ferrari Enzo and the Bugatti Veyron, these seats provide a clue to the performance this car is capable of.We are now on very lightly trafficked EU-built dual carriageway country roads. We pass the odd orange or olive farmer in his pickup, see the occasional Seat, Peugeot or Renault, and once or twice drive past ranches where fierce fighting bulls are isolated in their own yard. But otherwise the scrub desert roads of Europe are devoid of traffic. Time to switch tempo from Frank Sinatra to AC/DC!With a torque curve as flat as the Deccan plateau, you don’t need the massive 6000cc twin-turbo W12 to be spinning very fast to deliver spine-crushing acceleration. 3500rpm is more than enough to switch on all the lights in your head and once you reach 4500rpm, the performance from the now fully charged, fed and boosted motor is so strong, you wonder what the rest of the powerband must be like. Both the considerable increase in power and the reduction of 110kg make their presence felt as even with a kerb weight of 2.2 tonnes the car now boasts a 277bhp per tonne power-to-weight ratio. As the saying goes, too much power is just about enough. The long sweeping corners that tighten on themselves a bit and the longish straights are just what the doctor ordered for this car, and the next couple of hours are spent in motoring heaven. It’s possible to use large amounts of the 621bhp to accelerate out of corners because the traction offered by the re-tuned four-wheel-drive system is unreal. Sixty percent of the power now goes to the rear wheels and that means that the car feels much better balanced. And staying flat on the throttle, till you reach the silly speeds this car is easily capable of dishing out, is a real rush. Still, it’s difficult to work up a smooth rhythm with a car that’s this brutally quick. The big numbers on the speedo often mean you need to back off and feather the throttle and this has a negative effect on the flow of the corners. But even as you lift off the throttle, providing old mild encouragement to the motor, the Bentley’s momentum and effortless powerplant take it smoothly past 200kph, just like that. Like you would cross 120 in a regular car, without really noticing. So you have to constantly keep an eye on the speedo and rein in your pace.But that’s easier said than done. A massive amount of work has gone into making this the best-handling Bentley ever and the car feels agile and ever willing to change direction, however much the tyres howl in protest. What little understeer there is disappears once you switch off Stage One of the ESP and the message from the car is clear — you can go harder. Under the skin the rear track is wider, the Torsen four-wheel-drive system has been altered to send 60 percent of the power to the rear wheels and though the steering lacks the feel of something like a BMW 5-series, it’s very accurate. With lighter forged wheels and considerably lighter carbon ceramic discs, the reduction in unsprung mass also adds to the overall agility of the car. To fully exploit the potential of this car, the last part of our day-long drive was conducted on the Monteblanco near Seville. The main circuit consists of a very long straight, some long sweeping corners as well as a blind rise up a little hillock. Now using all 6500rpm and 621bhp regularly, the Supersports starts to shrink the track. The long straight is rapidly sucked into the lower slat-like grille . . the speedo crossing the 220kph mark, there’s no letting up on the throttle and the tyres get a good scrubbing around the corners. After lap one and two on the track I soon forget that this car weighs more than some SUVs and begin to push it harder. The agility is perplexingly good, the locomotive-like motor never seems to run out of steam and every single time I plan to brake late with the carbon ceramic discs, I simply outbrake myself by more than a dozen metres. The brakes are so strong that it seems like they can knock a 100-odd kilometres off the speedometer in only a couple of seconds. The brake pedal doesn’t have all that much feel initially but use it hard and the no-drama, no-fuss, eyeball-popping retardation is simply impossible to adjust your brain to. It would take more than 10 laps for me to get my braking point right. That rhythm, so hard to work up on the desert roads, now comes naturally. The car is regularly slipping sideways, the balance nice and neutral and it’s ever willing to point into a corner, however hot you enter it. The Continental, as most of you will know, is not a new car. It’s been around from 2003 but this is by far the best version yet. Despite the weight-saving regime it’s fantastically luxurious, unbelievably rapid and even has the agility to match many sportscars half its weight. It’s both the fastest Bentley ever and probably the best. The new vertical slats in the nose and the bonnet louvres look extra special, the dark smoked grille and headlight surrounds (made using Physical Vapour Deposition) tell you the car means business and the overall shape looks spot-on even today.If you are looking for something that will have timeless charm even decades down the road, is brutally fast, comfortable and useable, this is it. What we in India will need to be wary of though are the low 30 profile tyres. And no, you can’t get smaller wheels. Anything less than 20 inches won’t fit, the Supersports has the world’s largest brake discs.

Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640

2009-12-22T06:43:00.000-08:00

This may sound like I’ve flipped my lid, but please bear with me. If you’re reading this at home, I’d like you to get off your favourite couch, walk up to your bed and sit on the floor, with your back to the bed’s long end. Now slide down a bit, angle your feet so that they are resting on imaginary pedals and pretend you are gripping a steering wheel. Then, imagine a pair of massive wheels a foot ahead of you, a tight-fitting angular nose, a large flat windscreen and tight-fitting bodywork around the back. The roof of the car is no more than four feet off the ground and behind your back sits that humungous lump of a V12, represented here by your bed. Do this and you’ll quickly grasp the insanity that is the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640. Basically a massive six-and-a-half-litre V12, a pair of seats and four wheels; this is as mad as supercars get. There’s no luggage area, the air-con looks like Lamborghini spent just two days designing it and stepping down into the driver’s seat feels like you are being kitted out to pilot a military weapon. Close the scissor door shut and it feels even more Top Gun. The levels of drama here operatic, Top Gun theme song and all. I look around for a place to put my cellphone. Left, right, up, down. There is none. Hmmm, it stays in my pocket. Pull both paddles together to select neutral and start the motor. Some brief mechanical whirring later, the V12 bursts into life over my shoulder. This is no modern perfectly balanced V12. Many bits on this motor can be traced as far back as the Countach and Miura, and you can feel it throb and shake the car. Accompanying the idle bass is a buzz that massages your shoulder blades, and you can feel the mechanical beast come alive as you feed it fuel and air. You can feel almost every one of the 12 mini-explosions, you can imagine the visual symphony of the 12 cylinders moving up and down, and spin the motor faster and the gnashed note of the chain-driven cams drills into your head. The V12 is only a foot behind you. More revs, and now it’s the blare of the pipes and the exhaust reverberating though the system that come through. It’s a surging, whooping animal of an engine. You don’t need a tachometer here, just count the revs. We are loaned the LP 640 for a day and a half, for the Narain Karthikeyan track day story we carried in our September issue, so forgive me if I leave out how well it rides or how easy or not it is to drive in city traffic. Frankly, I don’t know. All I can tell you is that it feels like a cantankerous, mean, old SOB when driven at sane speeds for the camera. A bit jerky, irritated and off-handish, this car will do low speed, but you get the feeling it would rather not. But now it’s time to see what 631bhp can do (640 stands for PS, which is a bit more than bhp). As I squeeze the accelerator harder and harder in a progressive manner, the bellows and snarls emitted from the cave-like exhaust now turn harder-edged as the Lambo drags forward its own wall of sound behind it. The scenery starts to blur at the edges and I find myself holding onto the steering wheel, just hanging on, as the huge motor churns out massive power that pushes the seat into my back and pins my head to the headrest. Every time I do this, I feel my stomach’s some 250 metres behind, trying to catch up, and the crazy part is that I’m only using around 80 percent of the power. Understandably this leads to some mild disorientation initially. However, as soon as the brain catches up with the car, I squeeze the pedal more and for longer and even more heroic burst of power. Remember this is not 300, 400, 500 or even 600bhp; it’s freaking 631! Not so very long ago, F1 cars made similar power. Push in even more fuel, still driving in a very smooth and deliberate manner.At least that’s what I think I’m doing. The car however is doing something else. I get thrown forward in the seat as I brake for the corner, there’s some mild judder from the steering as the front wheels squirm and the rear shimmies as it struggles to put the power down, the genie getting loose in the rear. But it’s only when I use all 8500 rarified rpm, unreal for a motor of this size, do I experience the crazed beast of Bologna in full glory. My neck is snapped back as the Lambo screams up the powerband. 6000, 7000, 8000 . . WAAAAAAAAAA, click paddle, WAAAAAAAA. The track turns to mush, kerbs, lines and other features dissolving into each other, and everything happens at twice the normal speed. Off the brakes, kerb, steer, thottle, reel in the horizon. No supercharger, no quad turbos, just a massive engine and crazy revs. And it goes on. Sustained acceleration feels like a series of controlled explosions are being set off behind me as that nuclear reactor of a motor over my shoulder goes critical. Every burst of acceleration squeezes your internal organs into the backrest and you have to use your muscles to keep your hands and feet on the controls. What it must feel like to drive on normal roads is anyone’s guess. As if this were not scary enough, the rear of the Murciélago carries massive momentum with it and at times wants to carry on straight, long after you’ve turned into a corner. Sitting at the busy end, you are more than aware of this, as the car screams WATCH IT, WATCH IT, CAREFUL to you. And the worst part is that there isn’t really all that much you can do at this stage, if that heavy ‘pendulum’ in the rear decides it wants to overtake you. The faster you go, the more aware you become of this, and the more controlled and deliberate you have to be. The contrast is huge. On the one hand the car is pummeling you, like King Kong himself is hurling you forward under brakes, sideways in a corner and the back as you accelerate hard out, exhaust screaming. And on the other you need to be very precise and accurate behind the wheel, always two steps ahead of the car. As the usually unperturbed Narain Karthikeyan said when setting a lap time earlier in the day, “This car is a scary, scary car”. Then when driving photographer Ashley back to the pits at only 80 percent, and with even less concentration, I get distracted by what I think is a car coming the other way. My foot comes off the accelerator for only an instant in the middle of a corner, but it’s enough. Before I can react, the Lambo slews sideways and then the other way. We don’t spin, but I come to a stop at a jaunty angle, knees trembling. Yes this is one of the most exciting and fastest cars ever, up there with the McLaren F1 and Bugatti Veyron. But it’s also a car that has the power to give you instant diarrhoea. You can’t mess with the slip angle of the 335 tyre, the humongous momentum the car builds or the mass of that huge V12 engine. How Narain got it sideways regularly, I’ll never know. The LP 640 isn’t cheap at Rs 3.5 crore, but then it is very, very special. It is brutally fast on the road, turns heads everywhere it goes and is a car that has timeless appeal. If you think your stomach can take it, go for it. You’ll remember it clearly even decades later when it’s time to say goodbye. “Ahh the Lambo, best thing I did.” That’s a promise.

Maini Reva-I

2009-12-22T06:39:00.000-08:00

The first thing that strikes you while walking up to the Reva is its dinky dimensions. This is a small car by any standards with an overall footprint comparable to an auto rickshaw. Externally there’s very little change, except that the ‘i’ now gets a curved windshield as against the flat glass in the older car. Yes, the car feels a little more spacious, but the fact is it still remains tiny inside. The Reva’s styling has a certain appeal to it in a comical and cute sort of way. The proportions are all awry, the tall stance accentuated by the flat windscreen and large wheels straddling a small wheelbase. The matt grey bumper, which neatly integrates into the nose, stands out. However, body-coloured bumpers are on the cards as well. The body is made from Acrylonitrile -Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) panels that are bolted onto a strong yet lightweight tubular spaceframe. The fit and finish is pedestrian, though on the top-end model you get a music system, an air-conditioner and even climate-controlled seats that blow cold or hot air through vents in the seats!Whilst the doors are huge and open wide, the insides are incredibly cramped. The driving position is nicely elevated but your head disappears into the roof. Everything around you feels like it has been shrunk one size smaller. The narrow footwell makes it difficult to find the pedals and two large-sized adults may find themselves sitting cheek-to cheek.Space at the rear is even more limited but at a pinch, and an uncomfortable one at that — four medium- sized adults could travel a short distance before circulation to their legs slows down. The rear is best used for kids or small pieces of luggage, which the flip-down seats can accommodate. The good thing about the interiors is the friendly design. The swoopy dashboard, brilliantly styled steering wheel and chunky ‘power’ switch look great and goes to show that good design can even be found in an econo-car.Turn the ignition and rotate the nice-to-grip switch to ‘F’ and . . . nothing. You only realise that the car is alive when you prod the accelerator. It responds instantaneously and smartly gathers velocity. The high torque motor gives the Reva a certain spring in its step but the truth is that the Reva is woefully underpowered when compared to a regular car. The old Reva took 8.14 seconds to touch 40kph from standstill and 60kph took a full 27.61sec. The new Reva-i takes 7.54sec to reach 40kph and 20.91sec to 60kph. The sprint to 40kph followed by the lag to 60kph is because an electric motor produces maximum torque at zero rpm, performance drops as the speed builds up. When you turn the rotary dial to the more economical ‘N’ mode, the Reva-i gets to the 40 and 60kph figures in 10.76 and 38.79 seconds respectively. You need a 15 amp socket to charge the eight six-volt lead acid batteries beneath the front seats. If you have a garage, it takes just a few rupees to get your electrician to install a socket, and it’s as simple as charging your mobile. But since we have an open parking lot, we had to drop an extension box with a very long cord out of our first-floor office to charge the car. A full charge takes nine hours, while an 80 per cent charge takes around three. A fully-charged battery, the company claims, will take you around 80km under ideal conditions. Drive normally and a range of 80km on a full charge is possible, going up to 100km if you’ve switched to E-mode. The best part is the running cost, which is virtually free. Plug the charge cable into an ordinary 15 amp socket and the Reva sucks in only 9 units of electricity and is fully ‘tanked-up’ What does that cost? An average unit of electricity costs Rs 3.50. It takes nine units to fully charge the Reva, ie Rs 31.50, which will comfortably take you at least 50km. That works out to an unbelievable running cost of 60 paise per kilometreThe Reva-i is a hoot to drive. There are no gears to bother about. The heavy battery pack under the seat gives it a low centre of gravity. So despite its tall proportions, you can yank the steering wheel around a corner without feeling it will flip over.The old Reva had drums all around. The ‘i’ upgrade gets discs in front, but they still lack bite. But it has a trick up its sleeve. When you press the brakes, for the first 20mm of brake travel, it’s the motor itself that’s braking the car, and in the process recharging the battery. The brake hydraulics are not actuated till you press the brake pedal further down. Think about this, if you drive really carefully, the brake pads and discs don’t need to be in contact since the motor is doing all the braking! This regenerative braking means that you are better off braking gently over a longer period rather than braking hard for a shorter period. The company has worked on the rear suspension, played around with the damping and spring rates and even added an anti-roll bar on the ‘i’. Yet, if you are looking at ride quality, you are better off with a conventional car. The Reva-i is a step-up from the Reva but not enough, yet. Having said that, I would put my money on India’s only EV. As battery technology improves to give greater performance and range, it’s not hard to imagine more people adopting the EV. As volumes rise, the cost of EVs will come down. The running costs may be temptingly low but the only compelling reason to buy one today is a strong desire to save our blue planet.

Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup

2009-12-22T05:59:00.000-08:00

Test date 17 December 2009 Price as tested £21,995
It's surprisingly easy to live with and feels upmarketWhat is it?The Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup is the latest hot Megane, and this our first chance to try one on UK roads.At the international launch we drove the more expensive Sport model, but equipped with the optional Cup chassis, here though we are sampling the more basic Cup version, which is £1000 cheaper than the Sport and includes the stiffer chassis, wider tyres and mechanical limited slip differential as standard.Inside the Cup misses a few pieces of equipment that are standard on the Sport, but still gets air-conditioning, rear parking sensors and a decent stereo.What’s it like?Quite different from RenaultSport products that have gone before. More grown-up and less of a hooligan. At first this is more than a little disappointing, because although it’s obvious the Megane RS is not short of ability, you wonder whether it’s going to be entertaining enough. It certainly doesn’t have the immediacy of the Ford Focus RS, the Megane’s engine less punchy from low revs, and the handling less playful.But with miles and familiarity it’s difficult not to fall for the Megane’s charms. You simply have to get your head around what Renaultsport have tried to achieve with the car, which is to produce a hot-hatch that focuses on control and speed rather than amusement. It will not be for everyone – but for those that get a kick out of driving a car that is accurate and precise the Megane has a lot to offer.It doesn’t feel like the sort of hot hatch made for traffic light grand-prix, instead more at home being driven neatly and efficiently (and quickly) over a challenging road.And it won’t matter how bumpy that road is, because although the Cup chassis is firm, firm enough that even small imperfections have the body moving, faced with sharp edges or big bumps the Megane displays surprising suppleness coupled with excellent body control.For a quick blast on the road the Focus is still probably the better car, but on track the Megane is not only the faster car (despite its power deficit, in a straight line above 60mph there’s not much in it) but also the more entertaining. It produces more grip, feels less nose heavy and will last longer before needing new tyres and brakes.Should I buy one?The Megane RS is not perfect: the steering could be better, as could the gearchange, the engine note is too ordinary and for everyday practicality the rear visibility terrible, but it does do a lot right.In many ways it is the most focussed hot-hatch on sale today, not necessarily the fastest, but in handling terms probably the most competent, and yet it is also surprisingly easy to live with and upmarket. Best of all it comes with one of the cheapest price tags in the sector. So yes you should.

Harley Davidson: The bike of Your Dream

2009-11-18T18:18:00.000-08:00

Harley Davidson does not have any presence in the Indian market so far so the iconic American bike-maker is planning to entry in India through the CBU (completely built up) route.

This bike is a symbol that has become a part of popular American culture. It symbolizes a certain recklessness of attitude and adventure. Therefore, throughout history, the Harley Davidson bike has become part of movies and literature, as a culture symbol. There is a long history behind this cult symbol.

Amazing thing about this bike is that despite the fact that it was founded in 1903, despite the changing the styles and fashions, this fashion symbol has remained constant throughout the ages. It has managed to defeat both time and fashion. What was trendy over a hundred years ago is very distinct to what is trendy now. With only certain modifications, the bike has remained the same, such that it is instantly recognizable on the roads. Harley-Davidson too survived a media-accelerated negative image of motorcyclists.

The Harley-Davidson Motor Company is based in Milwaukee in the state of Wisconsin. The bike is usually known as a Harley and all the bikes under these line are heavy bikes with engine power starting from 750cc.

Thus the Harleys are ideal for fast rides on the highway, on fast rides. The Harley-Davidson motorcycles have a very unique design and structure and this distinctiveness of design make it possible for these bikes to be modified, using customized features and parts. This has led to the rise of the chopper bike, which is a highly customized bike and is usually meant for sports biking.

Features

heavyweight (over 750 cc) motorcycles designed for cruising on the highway
popularly known as “Harleys”
chopper-style of motorcycle
reflect the styles of classic Harley designs
light motorcycle

It sustains a loyal brand community which keeps active through events, clubs and a museum.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the U.S based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles, a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories. Harley’s tourers will make you smile, Whether the bike of your dreams is labelled FLHR (Road King), FLHTCU (Ultra Classic Electra Glide) or FLHX (Street Glide) to pick out but the presence of those twin initial letters tells you that it’s designed to cover distances in comfort.

In fact, “luxury” is closer to the mark but Habitat never made anything as sumptuous. To riders of modern European and Japanese touring machines, Harleys resemble furniture trucks, similar levels of agility and threaten.

So, we hope you are also waiting for your dream bike to come in India as soon as possible.

Carver One! You steer it like a car

2009-11-18T18:16:00.000-08:00

The Carver One is a unique slender, twin-seat tilting; three-wheeled vehicle combining the agility of a motorcycle, the comfort and safety of a car.

In 2003, the first exclusive series of hand-made Carvers were produced. These first Carvers sold out in record time and were shipped to various enthusiastic owners throughout the world, receiving rave reviews from the press and industry watchers worldwide.

The product is now ready for global commercialization. Having steered like a car, it banks like a motorcycle, the Dynamic Vehicle Control system automatically adjust the tilt angle to the speed and acceleration of the vehicle therefore it ensures an optimum balance at all times.

Features of Carver One

The Carver One is the world’s first-ever tilting three-wheeled vehicle. The thrill of this tilting capability combined with the handling of a sports car.

The cockpit seats the driver and passenger in a tandem configuration

The removable body-colored roof panel, alloy wheels, sports interior and design aluminum accents are part of a standard package.

Each Carver One can be personalized through metallic or special paint, leather seats and engine tuning.

16 valve, five-speed rear-mounted engine that produces 68 bhp

attains a top speed of 115 mph

An extremely safe

So when Carver One banks like a motorcycle, you will feel you are flying like a Bird.

Carever One

The Carver One is a unique slender, twin-seat tilting; three-wheeled vehicle combining the agility of a motorcycle, the comfort and safety of a car.

Features of Carver One

The Carver One is the world’s first-ever tilting three-wheeled vehicle. The thrill of this tilting capability combined with the handling of a sports car.

The cockpit seats the driver and passenger in a tandem configuration
The removable body-colored roof panel, alloy wheels, sports interior and design aluminum accents are part of a standard package.
Each Carver One can be personalized through metallic or special paint, leather seats and engine tuning.
Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder 660cc
16 valve, five-speed rear-mounted engine that produces 68 bhp
attains a top speed of 115 mph
An extremely safe

So when Carver One banks like a motorcycle, you will feel you are flying like a Bird.

Harley-Davidson Entering in India in 2010

2009-11-18T18:15:00.000-08:00

I think this will be a most expected and Hot information for we guys that finally our dream bike Harley-Davidson is coming in India in 2010. Thank god!

US motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc. has announced its superb plans to enter India’s motorcycle market as Indian motorcycle market is the second largest in the world. So, this company wants to establish dealership network in the country.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) president and Chief Operating Officer Matthew Levatich said in the statement that as India continues to extend its global reach, therefore, Harley-Davidson is there. They think that the company has various opportunities for continued growth around the world.

By next year, with a great plan to start selling its motorcycles in India, in Gurgaon, the company has established a subsidiary. The company has begun the process of identifying initial dealers in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Punjab and Bangalore.

Currently, the company will import its motorcycles, riding gear, and accessories and the company will find how best to evolve its approach in to the market as their business in India grows. It is true that Indian motorcycle market is running by small and inexpensive motorcycles that are used for basic transportation.

The country’s rapidly growing economy, rising middle class as well as significant investment in construction of new highways is now open for leisure motorcycle riding.

So, Indian guys just wait till 2010 to drive Harley-Davidson on road.

Yamaha launched the 2009 VMAX in INDIA

2009-11-18T18:10:00.002-08:00

India’s favorite bike Yamaha has given a new surprise to Indians. On Sep 16th 2009, Yamaha has launched its super-bike ‘VMAX‘ in the country with the price of Rs. 20 lakhs.

The Yamaha V-Max is known for its powerful V4 engine, distinctive styling and shaft drive. It is noted for its quick acceleration. It comes with a large 679 cc engine.

Look at the Yamaha V-Max Specifications:

The V-Max was 2,300 mm long, 795 mm wide and 1,160 mm high. The engine was a tuned version of the four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshaft, liquid-cooled V-4 from the Yamaha Venture. Other modifications to the engine: the V-Boost system was added and the compression ratio was raised to 10.5:1.

Across the globe, the 2009 VMAX has gathered accolades for its highest power delivery as well as its scary straight-line acceleration. The new VMAX has a bigger engine and also has more horsepower, but it also includes more technology that makes it the handling machine even if all that raw power thrown at the rear wheel.

The company has also launched its ‘FZ’ series in three variants. India Yamaha Motor Managing Director and CEO Yuki Mine Tsuji said that by 2012, Yamaha company will grasp a market share 10 per cent in the Indian bike market. Just like in the foreign markets, the VMAX will demand extra premium over other Yamaha models in India also as the VMAX is really an iconic motorcycle that has no any competition with any other. Its crisp power delivery and acceleration has scared even the most daring people.

So, do you want to face this challenge? If yes then go ahead!!

Kawasaki ZX-14R – A powerful Sport Bike

2009-11-18T18:10:00.001-08:00

If you are a bike lover then you must know that which one is the powerful bike among all the sport bikes is. Don’t worry if you don’t know. The Kawasaki ZX-14 is the most powerful sport bike.

The ZX-14 released as a 2006 model has replaced the Ninja ZX-12R and was designed to challenge the Suzuki Hayabusa. The Ninja ZX-14 got mechanical updates in 2008 like an updated engine cylinder head, a new lighter frame and revised fuel-injection tuning. They designed the changes to make the motorcycle easier to ride.

Features of Kawasaki ZX-14:
• Lightest bodywork
• Compact without being cramped
• The narrow engine
• Unique aluminum Monocoque frame
• Fuel tank provide a slim rider interface
• Ultra Flexible for easy installation
• Four-harness fiberglass weave for extra durability
• AMA Spec oil containment belly pan
• Reinforced leading edges and mounting seams
• Finished in an automotive grade urethane primer; white on the outside, black on the inside

The updated ZX-14 came with its 1352cc engine which improves the power characteristics while meeting noise regulations. It has the injection system to receive attention in an effort to boost peak power, give stronger low end torque and a more linear mid-range.

The Kawasaki ZX-14 is the most comfortable ZX motorcycle to ride for large distances and able to deliver its rider to its destination comfortably and quickly. Another good point is that with its smooth powerband and rider-friendly handling manners makes the ZX-14 an easy to operate.

All these features prove that the Kawasaki is the world’s quickest and most powerful production motorcycle. What do you say?

New Hero Honda Karizma ZMR Launched with PGM-Fi Technology

2009-11-18T18:09:00.000-08:00

Yipee…in the awesome festive season of Durga Pooja and Eid, Hero Honda has revealed its new version Karizma ZMR. This new power bike’s price will be around Rs. 91k INR and will be available in Indian’s market at the end of the September 2009.

I think this new Karizma ZMR can give competition to pulsar 220 DTSi as its main feature is the programmable fuel injection PGM-Fi technology that supports for better fuel usage so that it can result in higher top speeds and more efficiency.

Karizma ZMR’s design Features:

• Full Front Fairing
• Rear Disc Brakes
• Split Rear Grab Rails
• Split Clip on Handle Bars
• New Rear Mud Guard
• New Graphics
• Mirrors Mounted on the Fairing
• Slightly Re-profiled Body Work
• New Headlamp and Tail Lamp which is now LED
• Turn Indicators Mounted on Front Fairing

The fit as well as finish is awesome, it don’t consists panel gaps and paint quality is quite good. The rear view mirrors have been mounted on the front fairing which gives Karizma ZMR a very aggressive look if you viewed from front. But if you view the bike from side, the main problem is that the front does not gel with the slim looking rear.

New Karizma ZMR Fi is with the engine power of 225 cc but it has been modified by Hero Honda engineers, so now it gets fuel injection of 17.6 Bhp at 7000 rpm which is up by 0.6 Bhp and its maximum torque has been increased by .15 Nm which is now 18.35 Nm at 6000 rpm.

I am still expecting much more torque and power from the altered Fuel Injected engine of Karizma ZMR. Let’s see if it can touch atleast around 20 Bhp with 21-23 Nm torque.

Rever Corsa’s Ducati 1198: A Carbonfiber Superbike

2009-11-18T18:08:00.000-08:00

You know what makes me to earn more money? That’s new Ducati 1198 Strada. This is really an awesome bike with the most expensive components.

This new Ducati 1198 Strada is built by Rever Corsa and includes BST carbon wheels, the highlights include a full carbon fibre bodykit, Brembo brakes with radial-mount monobloc calipers, Ohlins FGRT 803 forks and a DU788 TTX shock and a soprano-esque Akrapovic exhaust system.

RCS master cylinder and Higher-spec Brembo monobloc four-piston calipers look same to stock but it give more braking for the lightened machine. The Ducati 1198 Strada bike is to be weighed, but it has found that at least 13kg has been shaved from the bike, and the full Akrapovic exhaust system boost boosts power up to 200bhp. The 1198 Strada is more than 10 kilos lighter than the stock 1198 and packs about 10 more horsepower.

At the PGA Golf Tournament in California, the bike makes its official debut on September 28 but it is recently away for secret filming for a rap star’s video. The price of the bike goes around $55,000 or £33,000.

So, Rever Corsa has done a great job with the Ducati 1198.

Yamaha R125 is the Most Advanced 125cc Bike

2009-11-18T18:05:00.000-08:00

I have used all Yamaha bikes but Yamaha has never built before such the most advanced 125 production supersport machine, the YZF-R125. I have no doubt as the engineers who created YZF-R1 and YZF-R6 supersport bikes has created this high-revving, radical and fuel-injected R-125.

The new Yamaha includes the advanced MotoGP technology and a whole range of R-series type engine and chassis features to deliver free-revving performance of maximum power at 9,000rpm. The bike is featured with a compact fuel injection system.

Features includes in Yamaha R125:

• SOHC 4-valve cylinder head
• Liquid-cooled single-cylinder 4-stroke
• Wet-sump lubrication system
• Electric start
• Fuel injection
• 6-speed transmission
• Dual catalysers
• R6-style mid-ship muffler
• Air Induction system

Chassis features are aluminum swinging arm and Deltabox frame which delivers an optimum balance of strength and rigidity for class-leading handling performance and lightweight 5-spoke wheels are there to reduce unsprung weight and to give impressive roadholding. For effective stopping power, a large diameter 292mm front disc with a 230mm diameter rear disc make.

Colors Available are:

• Sports White
• Burning Blue
• Midnight black
• Impact Yellow

The twin spar Deltabox design is one of the lightest and best-handling frame designs in the supersport category. It has been constructed with a full sized chassis which is unique in its segment, this is one of the most significant features of this new R125. For example, the wheelbase on the new Yamaha R-series is 1,353mm over 58mm greater than typical sports 125, which helps to raises the stability. Its lightweight wheels are fitted with the widest rubber in the class, a massive 130/70-17 tyre at the rear and a 100/80-17 tyre at the front.

So, what’s your review about R-125? Share with me here.

Lauge Jensen from Denmark will double the hard-core biking pleasure

2009-11-18T18:03:00.000-08:00

Lauge Jensen is the latest motorcycle in the world and I can also say that it is the last motorcycle manufactured in Denmark.

The Lauge Jensen bike has 1.8-liter engine that delivers 70cv to 4300 rpm, a classic American twin-injection and a torque of 120Nm at 3100 rpm and it is approved Euro 3. With the help of 5-speed gearbox, the 300 kg monster can reach the maximum speed of 180km/hr. To ensure adequate safety, with a 250 mm rear tire mounted on 18-inch wheels has been powered by a three disk brake system.

Uffe Lauge Jensen has decided again to add Denmark to the list of countries turning out 2 wheelers. Denmark didn’t have any regulations or laws in place for doing this as there was no procedure for manufacturing them. Uffe Lauge Jensen is a bit stubborn.

Denmark offered Lauge Jensen only in four different colors for now. Those guys who love the winding roads and beautiful landscape, this Lauge Jensen can raise the hard-core biking pleasure. Price of this product is $47,000.

So, guys! What are you waiting for? Just take a ride.

2010 Cosmos 4RWF V8 Muscle Bike: The future Bike

2009-11-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

Luxury cars are liked by everyone. Similarly, luxury bikes are also liked by all. But just imagine if you get a chance to ride four-wheelers bike then how will you feel? Yes, the high-powered 2010 Cosmos 4RWF V8 Muscle Bike is coming your way that has four wheels.

Brazilian Amadeu Ferreira Junior has designed luxury bikes that are macho in looks. Its revolutionary four-wheeled concept is called ‘Cosmos 4RWF’ that includes the features two 17-inch wheels in the rear and two wheels in the front with a fuel injected 350 cubic inch engine. It will have a maximum speed of 350hp with a 3-gear transmission which includes a reverse gear.

The V8 motorcycle is made in limited numbers with the price rate of $93,200. The two-wheeled traditional 2RWF version comes with the price rate of $82,100 and the rest of the specs remaining same.

4RWF – Bike Specifications

Engine – Fuel Injected ZZ4 Crate Engine 350CI 355HP HO
Transmission – 3 Gears, plus Reverse
Horsepower – 350hp at 5250 RPM
Chassis – Mono-Block
Brakes – Dual Disc Front / Single Disc Rear
Wheels – 2x Front 17″, 2x Rear 17″
Wheel Base – 2.03 meters
Overall Length – 2.60 meters
Frame – 0.90 meters
Tank – 22 liters
Seat Height – 0.70 meters
Dry Weight: 475 kg

2RWF – Bike Specifications

Engine: Fuel Injected ZZ4 Crate Engine 350CI 355HP HO
Transmission: 3 Gears, plus Reverse
Horsepower: 350hp at 5250 RPM
Chassis: Mono-Block
Brakes: Dual Disc Front / Single Disc Rear
Wheels: Front 17″, Rear 17″
Wheel Base: 2 meters
Overall Length: 2.50 meters
Frame: 0.70 meters
Tank: 16 liters
Seat Height: 0.60 meters
Dry Weight: 420 kg

I think it will be quite difficult to control over this 4RWF V8 Muscle bike. What do you think?

Brazil Automobile Industry Till 2010

2009-11-18T17:55:00.000-08:00

Delhi, India, April 23, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The market research report, “Brazil Automobile Industry till 2010”, by RNCOS is an extensive and analytical study of the current and future trends of the Brazilian auto industry. This report will help clients to evaluate the opportunities and factors critical to the success of this industry in this Latin American country. It underlines the key issues related to the success of the industry and provides a prudent analysis on its various aspects.

Brazil Automobile Industry

Brazil is one of the top ten automobile manufacturing countries in the world by volume, with a relatively large consumer base. In 2006, the automobile production (excluding motorcycles and agricultural machineries) showed a growth of 3.2% over 2005. The automobile sales in Brazil are highly dominated by the passenger cars and motorcycles. But despite the high sales of passenger cars in Brazil during 2006, there are still bright chances of growth in this segment as the penetration rate per thousand population of this segment is still low. This rising sales of automobiles is well supported by the easy financing packages offered by the financing bodies and improving road connectivity in rural and sub-urban areas of Brazil.

Among all types of vehicles, flex fuel vehicles are widely accepted by the Brazilians due to their multi-choice of refueling system. Flex fuel vehicles, with supportive government regulations on biofuel use, witnessed a rapid growth in 2006.

Brazilian automobile industry faced a declined exports due to appreciation of Brazilian currency, but on the other side, it boosted the import of automobiles in 2006 as prices were relatively lower than 2005.

Key Findings

- The sales of Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) will grow at a CAGR more than the car sales during the forecast period (2007-2010).
- Bus sales are expected to attain a CAGR higher than 22.3% during 2007-2010.
- Flex fuel vehicle sales will dominate the other types of vehicles in Brazil and it is expected to grow at an AAGR of 15.67% from 2007 to 2010.
- Direct insurance premium for automobiles is projected to reach BRL 27634 Million in 2010.
- With the rising number of flex fuel automobiles on Brazilian roads, ethanol producers of the country are expected to expand their ethanol production base to 442,000 Barrels/Day in 2010.

Key Issues & Facts Analyzed

- What is the existing trend in the Brazil automobile industry?
- How the future of the industry will shape up?
- What is the scenario of import-export and auto component industry?
- What are the driving factors for the Brazilian automobile industry?
- What are the opportunities and challenges for the Brazilian automobile Industry?

Research Methodology Used

Information Sources
The information has been taken from authentic and reliable sources like books, newspapers, trade journals, and white papers, industry portals, government agencies, trade associations, monitoring industry news and developments, and over 3000 paid databases.

Analysis Method
Methods like historical trend analysis, linear regression analysis using software tools, judgmental forecasting and cause and effect analysis have been used in the report for prudent analysis.

About RNCOS:

RNCOS, incorporated in the year 2002, is an industry research firm. We are a team of industry experts who analyze data collected from credible sources. We provide industry insights and analysis that helps corporations to take timely and accurate business decision in today's globally competitive environment.

First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

2009-11-18T17:51:00.000-08:00

Dearborn, Michigan – We all know that a rolling stone gathers no moss; still, I was somewhat surprised to see that a rolling Ford can grow some leaves, at least virtually within its dash cluster.

More on that later, but suffice to say that it’s part of the Ford Fusion Hybrid, a 2010 model unveiled late last year at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and destined for showrooms early in 2009. I had the opportunity to take a short test-drive on city streets and highways in Ford’s first gasoline-electric sedan.

The entire Fusion line-up is overhauled for 2010, with new (and quite handsome) styling, better-quality interior materials, and most importantly, new and more fuel-efficient engines, six-speed automatic transmissions, and a Sport model with a 3.5-litre V6 under the hood. But the big news is the Fusion Hybrid, which the company says is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan on the market. And no wonder: the Fusion Hybrid is rated at 4.6 L/100 km (61 mpg) in the city, and 5.4 L/100 km (52 mpg Imp) on the highway.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Click image to enlarge

It uses a version of the new system found in the Escape Hybrid, and is now entirely Ford’s technology (save for a battery purchased from Sanyo), with over 100 patents pending on the Fusion’s system alone. It uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine with Atkinson cycle; the cycle produces better fuel efficiency, while the resulting power loss is compensated by the hybrid system’s electric motor. The nickel metal hydride (NiMH) storage battery is 23 per cent lighter than that in Ford’s original hybrid system, while providing 28 per cent more power. The system produces 155 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque.

As with all currently-available factory hybrids, it’s not a plug-in; instead, it uses regenerative braking to capture up to 94 per cent of energy normally lost through brake friction to recharge the battery.

The conventional Fusion starts at $21,499 and ranges up to $35,299 for the 3.5-litre all-wheel drive Sport; the Hybrid comes in a single trim line, at $31,999. There are a several items that can be added, as well: voice-activated navigation system at $2,100, a “Moons and Tunes” package of sunroof and stereo for $1,200, a “Driver’s Vision Group” of blind-spot monitor and cross-traffic warning system for $1,400, heated leather seats at $1,225, a power sunroof at $1,200, remote starter for $300, and a block heater, at an extra $80.

It’s a “full” hybrid, meaning that it can run on its battery alone, both when cruising and from a full stop, and according to the company, it can do so at speeds of up to 75 km/h. During my short drive, I was only able to get it from a stop to about 55 km/h before the gasoline engine kicked in, but pending a more thorough test, I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, given that the weather was bitterly cold, and that the gauge showed that the battery pack wasn’t fully charged. As with all hybrids, the engine stops running when you come to a stop, although the lights, heater and stereo continue to operate. It also switches between gasoline and electricity during regular driving, depending on how much power is needed; it’s a seamless transition, and the system has been optimized for the maximize number of “engine off” situations for better fuel economy. I hit the throttle hard several times to judge the car’s performance, but the final tally on the trip computer showed an average fuel economy equivalent to 6.3 L/100 km (45 mpg Imp) when I did the conversion from my U.S. vehicle’s display.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Click image to enlarge

While the Fusion Hybrid doesn’t look any different from its conventional cousins on the outside, save for the badges on its trunk and fenders, the instrument cluster contains a new “SmartGauge”, with a system the company calls EcoGuide, and that’s where the aforementioned tree leaves come in. The gauge consists of two LCD screens on either side of the speedometer that can be configured through wheel-mounted buttons to four levels, depending on how much or how little information you desire.

There are four cute names for the screens – Inform, Enlighten, Engage and Empower – with each building on the last and adding more graphics. The simplest, Inform, provides only the battery and gasoline levels; other graphics include electric vehicle mode indicator, engine output, accessory power draw and tachometer, among others. The one I found most useful was the engine pull-up threshold, which indicates how close the system is to switching to either gasoline or electricity. You can’t manually go from petrol to hydro, in the sense that there’s no button to push to do so; rather, it switches automatically, depending on engine load and acceleration. By knowing how close I was to either one, I could adjust my throttle pressure and stay in electric mode longer.

The full graphic also includes a picture of vines, which “grow” leaves as the car is driven more efficiently. I eventually got it up to a full forest, but drive with a lead foot, and the leaves fall off. It’s a gimmick, but it’s fun, and you do get into a mindset where you want to grow as many leaves as you possibly can. There’s also a trip computer that records mileage and fuel used, and can be used to mark personal bests, or compete with a second driver. Ford officials said that the gauges are designed on the theory of positive reinforcement, with drivers trying harder to achieve fuel efficiency and the “rewards” offered by the various readouts; even small driving changes can achieve a three per cent improvement, while closely following the “Empower” gauges and driving carefully can return a reward of up to 15 per cent better mileage.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Click image to enlarg

The drawback to all of this, of course, is that the gauges only play a role if you look at them, and several times, I realized that I was watching my leaves rack up, instead of looking at traffic. Company representatives said they’ve made the gauge as simple as possible – which is true – and that you can turn it off, but the fact remains that, like the Prius’ centrally-mounted animated display, it’s a distraction. I hope that drivers will realize that a vehicle that’s using no gasoline because it’s sitting in a bodyshop waiting for repair is not really considered “fuel-efficient”.

Of course, a hybrid can’t be just technology; it must also function as a vehicle, and for that, Ford has done a very good job. The switch from gasoline to electric is seamless, even though it happens a great deal (the system has been optimized for the maximum number of gasoline engine shut-offs, which improves fuel economy). The redesigned Fusion has a great deal of sound-deadening, and it’s so quiet that, combined with the seamless operation, I’d be willing to bet that if a driver was placed in it with no indication of its hybrid status, it would take him a while to realize it.

Steering is responsive, with none of the vagueness that can sometimes plague hybrids, and it feels firmly planted and confident on the highway. If you’re not worrying about how many leaves are growing in your gauge, the car’s very peppy, and there’s enough power to get you around traffic on the highway.

Along with the new exterior styling – including attractive taillights that illuminate with a “honeycomb” pattern – there’s a revised interior, and it’s a considerable upgrade from the last-generation Fusion model. All plastics are now soft-touch, panel gaps look good, and the seats are supportive and, at least for the hour or so I spent in them, very comfortable.

The economic climate is going to put a kink in any number of well-laid plans, and hybrid sales have dropped like a stone in the U.S. market, due both to an overall slump in vehicle sales, and to lower gasoline prices. It’s unfortunate that Ford is releasing the Fusion Hybrid into this, but if sales aren’t as good as expected, it won’t be the fault of the vehicle. This new model is very well done. While I only had a chance to drive it for a short time, and don’t know the Canadian pricing, I will say that Ford has produced a hybrid that should have a genuine and well-earned shot at its Japanese gasoline-electric competition.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Short Take Road Test

2009-11-18T17:48:00.000-08:00

The first thing you need to know about the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid is that it’s the best mid-size hybrid sedan on the market. Yes, that’s right: it wipes the floor with the Toyota Camry hybrid.

Like the Camry, it mates a four-cylinder gasoline engine with two battery-driven electric motors and a continuously variable transmission. The Fusion has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine that makes 156 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque. Although the Atkinson cycle, where the intake valve is held open longer during the intake stroke, is more efficient than the usual Otto cycle, it doesn’t produce as much power and torque. In a hybrid’s case, electric motors augment the gas engine so that acceleration isn’t compromised. Here, the hybrid system puts out a combined 191 hp.

Ford has worked hard to significantly improve the system in the Fusion over the one in the Escape hybrid, and the company says that the technology is not licensed from Toyota, as Nissan does for the Altima hybrid. The Fusion's trunk-mounted nickel-metal-hydride battery pack is smaller and lighter, for instance, and uses a different chemistry so that it doesn’t need a separate cooling system, simply drawing air in from the cabin to manage temperatures. The pack also produces 20 percent more power. Variable timing on the intake cam allows the vehicle to more seamlessly transition between electric and gas modes, according to Ford, and the Fusion can be driven up to 47 mph on electric power alone, depending on how leadfooted a driver is. Most hybrids can pull off the electric-only trick only as high as 25 mph or so.

Sharp-Looking Exterior, Techy Interior

The all-new Fusion hybrid benefits from many of the changes that were made to the 2010 Fusion range. Externally, the Fusion gets new headlamps, a new front fascia, and a reworked version of the three-bar grille that Ford now uses across its North American offerings. At the back, there’s a new decklid and taillights. The hybrid gets “road and leaf” badging to differentiate it, along with unique eight-spoke, 17-inch wheels. The refresh makes the Fusion sharper looking, particularly since the weird headlamps of the original have been replaced.

Inside, the Fusion also receives a new instrument panel, redesigned seats, and more stylish trim, although the quality of some of the materials isn’t yet on par with those of the class leaders. The hybrid gets what Ford calls SmartGauge with EcoGuide, a unique instrument cluster that is designed to bring out the mileage geek in everyone. Our tech department went gaga over this one, gurgling like toddlers who’ve been allowed outside on their own for the first time. The gauge has four modes—each with touchy-feely names like Engage and Empower—although our more nerdish drivers quickly switched into the expert mode (Enlighten) that shows battery charge level alongside two columns of discharge meters, one for power consumed and the other for the sum of all the accessory loads. The fun is in trying to keep the vehicle in electric mode as long as possible. For non-techies, the Efficiency Leaves feature shows leaves growing on a vine if you’re driving efficiently. It’s actually quite cool.

Our tester came heavily optioned, lifting the price from a reasonable base of $27,995 to $32,555. We had leather seating in place of the standard eco-friendly seat fabric that’s made from recycled post-industrial material, at a cost of $1190 including seat heaters. The excellent touch-screen navigation system added another $1775 to the price, while another $1595 went toward a bundle that included a power moonroof, a rear-view camera, 12-speaker audio system, and a blind-spot warning system.

Good Timing, Great Car: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Review | Use …

2009-11-18T17:39:00.000-08:00

You keep it in the green zone on the EcoGuide and the 2.5L Atkinson-Cycle I-4 Hybrid engine shuts off and runs completely off of the high-power NiMH battery. Keep it in the green and you are essentially driving an electric car . … Ford is betting big that their new flagship sedan will make a big splash into the U.S. car market, and in so doing, helping the company position itslef as the lean, green , and profitable leader of the big U.S. auto companies. …

Tata Nano

2009-11-18T17:38:00.000-08:00

Manufactures by Tata Motors, Nano is all set to release in India. Tata Nano is a safe and affordable car for the common man. That’s why Tata Nano has various synonyms like People’s Car, common men’s car, 1 lakh car, laktakia and many more.

Tata Nano Approx Price Tag

The on-road price of Tata Nano should be 1.25Laks including all road taxes and other tax like VAT.

Technical Specifications of Tata NANO Car

Length	3.1 metres
Width	1.5 metres
Height	1.6 meters
Engine	All-aluminium, Rear Mounted, Rear Wheel Drive
Capacity	623 cc
Power	33 PS
Fuel Injection	Multi Point Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type	Petrol, Diesel Version will be later
Body Type	Sheet Metal
Seating Capacity	04 (Four)
Mileage	20-22 Kmpl (City drive) 26 Kmpl (Highways)
Top Speed	75 K.M
Emission Norms	Euro-IV, Bharat Stage-III compliant
Safety Norms	Frontal Crash Tested
Versions	One Standard and Two Deluxe

Tata NANO Car

2009-11-18T05:17:00.001-08:00

Tata Nano Approx Price Tag

The on-road price of Tata Nano should be 1.25Laks including all road taxes and other tax like VAT.

Technical Specifications of Tata NANO Car

Length	3.1 metres
Width	1.5 metres
Height	1.6 meters
Engine	All-aluminium, Rear Mounted, Rear Wheel Drive
Capacity	623 cc
Power	33 PS
Fuel Injection	Multi Point Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type	Petrol, Diesel Version will be later
Body Type	Sheet Metal
Seating Capacity	04 (Four)
Mileage	20-22 Kmpl (City drive) 26 Kmpl (Highways)
Top Speed	75 K.M
Emission Norms	Euro-IV, Bharat Stage-III compliant
Safety Norms	Frontal Crash Tested
Versions	One Standard and Two Deluxe

How to Change a Car Battery

2009-11-18T05:13:00.000-08:00

Knowing how to change a battery, and change it correctly, can extricate you from situations like the following:

Your battery dies late at night, perhaps in your own driveway or miles from home. You find a filling station that will sell you a replacement, but the station attendant tells you the mechanic will not be available until morning. You can install it yourself or wait until the mechanic j shows up for work.

Or, at a winter resort, you attempt to start your car after leaving it out all night in the cold, but the car won't start, and you have an appointment four hours away back at the office. The resort will loan you a battery, but you will have to install it.

Or, your car battery, which has already received one recent boost, shows signs of continued weakness. You have a dozen appointments and simply don't trust the battery to get you where you're going and home again. Until you find time to have a new battery installed, you have to borrow the battery from your wife's car.

Changing a battery isn't difficult if you don't mind a bit of dirt and grime.

What To Do

1. With a wrench, disconnect the battery's negative cable, which is clamped to the battery's negative terminal post. The negative post is identified by a minus symbol (-) or the abbreviation NEG.

2. If the battery also has a negative ground wire (a few batteries do), disconnect it using a screwdriver or a wrench. A ground wire is usually attached to the engine.

3. Disconnect the positive cable from the positive battery post. It's labeled with a plus sign (+) or the abbreviation Pos.

4. Remove the battery cable clamps. This can be difficult when a battery is old and its terminal posts and clamps are corroded or bonded by rust to one another. To remove a clamp, first loosen its bolt and nut. They hold and squeeze the clamp in close electrical contact with its post.

Whereas some batteries have dispensed with bolt and clamp post-fasteners, many still use them. The bolt usually has two square-headed nuts. One is part of the bolt (stationary); the other is threaded to the bolt. Often you need two holding tools to remove them: an adjustable wrench and vise-type grip pliers.

Lock the bolt head with pliers and use the wrench to loosen and unscrew the threaded bolt. Or switch tool positions, if that's easier and gives you a better grip.

Even with the bolt and its nut loosened, you may have to pry the clamp from the terminal post. In prying, you don't want to put any pressure on the battery terminal itself. Doing so can easily crack the battery case or punch a hole right through it. To pry the clamps from their posts, use a screwdriver to force apart the clamp's jaws. As you pry open the jaws, work the clamp back and forth on its post, loosening the bond between them. If a clamp won't slip upward and off its post, squirt the post and clamp with a lubricant.

5. With the cables and their clamps freed from the posts, remove the battery and put it aside.

6. Set the replacement battery in position (on the tray where the old battery was) and lubricate its posts. You can use any handy lubricant, including grease, petroleum jelly, or even motor oil. A lubricant eases the clamps more easily over their battery posts and postpones corrosion.
If you're installing an old or used battery, before reinstalling the clamps and before applying a lubricant, clean each post to remove corrosion or rust. Any handy abrasive will scour them clean, enhancing electrical contact with the clamps. A slurry of baking soda and water usually does the job. So will sandpaper. Even a little sand mixed with radiator water, both probably readily available wherever the emergency occurs, are credible battery terminal cleaners. Use a toothbrush or a rag to apply your abrasive. With the old posts clean, lubricate them before reinstalling their clamps.

If you're installing a new battery, its terminal posts should already be clean and corrosion-free. It will need no special attention other than application of a lubricant.

7. Now slip the positive cable clamp over the battery's positive terminal post; next install the negative clamp and its negative cable on the negative post. If the battery also has a negative ground cable, reattach it to the engine or wherever it was connected.

8. Finally, retighten the clamp bolts and their nuts. They've got to be as tight as possible to ensure good electrical contact.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

2009-11-11T18:23:00.001-08:00

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

MSRP $22,680 - $33,450

Gallardo

2009-11-11T18:20:00.000-08:00

The 2009 Gallardo is a 2-door, 2-passenger luxury sports car, or convertible sports car

MSRP $198,000 - $221,000

Lamborghini Murcielago

2009-11-11T18:17:00.000-08:00

2009 Lamborghini Murcielago

MSRP $354,000 - $382,400

Ferrari 458 Italia

2009-11-03T17:03:00.000-08:00

Just down the road from Modena, Italy where Maserati resides, the factory at Maranello is set to introduce a new a radical sports car sure to start a stampede. In Frankfurt, Ferrari will take the wraps of the highly anticipated Ferrari 458 Italia and by all accounts, it’s a stunner!
A replacement for the outgoing Ferrari F430, power comes in the form of a mid-engine 4.5-liter V8. Producing a staggering 562 horsepower and 398 lb.-ft of torque, it screams all the way to a redline of 9,000 rpm. Zero to sixty is easily attained in 3.4. And, for the first time ever in a V8 Ferrari, top speed is expected to exceed 200 miles-per-hour, (202 mph).
It is said Michael Schumacher played a significant role in the design of the new Ferrari 458 Italia. A Seven Times Formula One Champion, he understands the need to reduce weight to a minimum. As such, the new 458 Italia tips the scales at a mere 3,042 lbs. Official photos confirm styling cues to be reminiscent of the current F430 with a little Ferrari Enzo thrown in for good measure. Watch for more details as the covers come off in Frankfurt.

First Look: Frankfurt 2009

2009-11-03T17:01:00.000-08:00

September represents the unofficial start to the New Year for the vast majority in North America. School is underway and the well-travelled luggage leftover from summer vacation is finally stored in the closet. Those in the work force are settling back into a regular routine. Coffee has once again surpassed iced tea or cola as the drink of choice. At least for now, work is on our minds while recreation has become a distant but fond memory.
This shift in seasons also brings a sense of newness and expectation to the automotive industry. If you take time and listen closely, car talk is everywhere.
“Have you seen the latest vehicle from…” or “What do you think of the new…?” are questions asked not only around the office water cooler, but the gas station, corner store and school parking lots while waiting for the kids.
The upcoming auto show season has all the makings of being spectacular. Alternating on a yearly basis with the Paris Motor Show, the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show is certain to fulfill expectations plus offer a few surprises. Here are several of the vehicles we expect to see at the Frankfurt, 63rd International Motor Show.

Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV

2009-11-03T16:56:00.000-08:00

The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV is designed to show that the company's plug-in hybrid technology is suited for vehicles larger than simple city cars. This mid-size crossover based on the Outlander is styled more toward the station wagon end of the spectrum than a true SUV. The PX-MiEV features all-wheel drive — a 1.6- liter gasoline engine can drive the front axle as well as act as a generator to replenish the battery pack and drive the front and rear electric motors. At low speeds, the plug-in rechargeable battery pack is used to drive the front wheels. In low-traction situations, the rear electric motor is automatically engaged for all-wheel-drive traction.

Daihatsu basket concept

2009-11-03T16:54:00.000-08:00

The Japanese have a long history of making small cars that can best be described as cute. The Daihatsu basket concept is no different, with its minimalist boxy shape that conveys the rugged outdoor spirit of an SUV — think International Scout. The basket gets its name from the B-pillar roll hoop that's exposed when the hard front roof panel and the rear canvas top are removed. The look is — you guessed it — very basket- like. The Spartan interior of the 4-seat concept has cloth-covered seats and a very utilitarian feel. In addition to the fold-down rear tailgate, the basket also features a rear toolbox that can easily be hosed out.

Honda Skydeck Concept

2009-11-03T16:52:00.000-08:00

This futuristic take on the minivan, the Honda Skydeck Concept, makes the current Odyssey look downright pedestrian. The sleekly styled exterior of this people mover is complemented by its unusual scissor-style front doors. The face of the vehicle features a prominent grille flanked by horizontal headlamps. While the Skydeck retains traditional sliding side doors, these panels also swing away and down from the vehicle slightly further to aid access to the large passenger cabin. The seats, with their thin backs and open design, are arranged in three rows; however the second row can stack beneath the front buckets, giving the cabin limousine-style seating.

Tokyo Auto show

2009-11-03T16:46:00.000-08:00

While the lack of foreign automakers has affected the size of the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, there is no shortage of new ideas in the form of concept cars on display at the Makuhari Messe from Japan's manufacturers. These futuristic concepts not only tackle emissions and fuel economy challenges, but also build on this country's unique appetite for small city cars and larger people movers that can best be described as living rooms on wheels.

Nissan Land Glider concept

Looking for a way to cope with narrow streets and congested traffic, the Nissan Land Glider concept takes it cues from aviation in its execution. The narrow stance and tandem seating of its occupants make it similar in layout to a glider's cockpit, while the drive-by-wire controls also owe their inspiration to aircraft. And certainly, the vehicle's ability to lean into corners, which helps it maneuver around in tight spaces can be likened to a plane's banking. This EV also makes use of the lithium-ion battery technology and electric drive developed for Nissan's first commercial electric vehicle, the Leaf.

2009 Maserati GranTurismo

2009-11-03T16:39:00.000-08:00

The 2009 GranTurismo is a 2-door, 4-passenger luxury sports car, available in 3 trims, ranging from the Coupe to the S Automatic.

Upon introduction, the Coupe is equipped with a standard 4.2-liter, V8, 405-horsepower engine that achieves 12-mpg in the city and 19-mpg on the highway. The S Automatic is equipped with a standard 4.7-liter, V8, 433-horsepower engine. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

The 2009 GranTurismo is a carryover from 2008.

Oldies(autocar)

2009-10-31T20:52:00.000-07:00

First Automobile

2009-10-31T20:50:00.001-07:00

The very first self-powered road vehicles were powered by steam engines and by that definition Nicolas Joseph Cugnot of France built the first automobile in 1769 - recognized by the British Royal Automobile Club and the Automobile Club de France as being the first. So why do so many history books say that the automobile was invented by either Gottlieb Daimler or Karl Benz? It is because both Daimler and Benz invented highly successful and practical gasoline-powered vehicles that ushered in the age of modern automobiles. Daimler and Benz invented cars that looked and worked like the cars we use today. However, it is unfair to say that either man invented "the" automobile.

2009-10-31T20:44:00.000-07:00

After Cugnot Several Other Inventors Designed Steam-Powered Road Vehicles

Cugnot's vehicle was improved by Frenchman, Onesiphore Pecqueur, who also invented the first differential gear.
In 1789, the first U.S. patent for a steam-powered land vehicle was granted to Oliver Evans.
In 1801, Richard Trevithick built a road carriage powered by steam - the first in Great Britain.
In Britain, from 1820 to 1840, steam-powered stagecoaches were in regular service. These were later banned from public roads and Britain's railroad system developed as a result.
Steam-driven road tractors (built by Charles Deitz) pulled passenger carriages around Paris and Bordeaux up to 1850.
In the United States, numerous steam coaches were built from 1860 to 1880. Inventors included: Harrison Dyer, Joseph Dixon, Rufus Porter, and William T. James.
Amedee Bollee Sr. built advanced steam cars from 1873 to 1883. The "La Mancelle" built in 1878, had a front-mounted engine, shaft drive to the differential, chain drive to the rear wheels, steering wheel on a vertical shaft and driver's seat behind the engine. The boiler was carried behind the passenger compartment.
In 1871, Dr. J. W. Carhart, professor of physics at Wisconsin State University, and the J. I. Case Company built a working steam car that won a 200-mile race.

Early Electric Cars

Steam engines were not the only engines used in early automobiles. Vehicles with electrical engines were also invented. Between 1832 and 1839 (the exact year is uncertain), Robert Anderson of Scotland invented the first electric carriage. Electric cars used rechargeable batteries that powered a small electric motor. The vehicles were heavy, slow, expensive, and needed to stop for recharging frequently. Both steam and electric road vehicles were abandoned in favor of gas-powered vehicles. Electricity found greater success in tramways and streetcars, where a constant supply of electricity was possible.

The History of Electric Vehicles

Learn more about the history of electrical vehicles from 1890 to the present.

However, around 1900, electric land vehicles in America outsold all other types of cars. Then in the several years following 1900, sales of electric vehicles took a nosedive as a new type of vehicle came to dominate the consumer market.

2009-10-31T20:39:00.000-07:00

The automobile as we know it was not invented in a single day by a single inventor. The history of the automobile reflects an evolution that took place worldwide. It is estimated that over 100,000 patents created the modern automobile. However, we can point to the many firsts that occurred along the way. Starting with the first theoretical plans for a motor vehicle that had been drawn up by both Leonardo da Vinci and Isaac Newton.

In 1769, the very first self-propelled road vehicle was a military tractor invented by French engineer and mechanic, Nicolas Joseph Cugnot (1725 - 1804). Cugnot used a steam engine to power his vehicle, built under his instructions at the Paris Arsenal by mechanic Brezin. It was used by the French Army to haul artillery at a whopping speed of 2 1/2 mph on only three wheels. The vehicle had to stop every ten to fifteen minutes to build up steam power. The steam engine and boiler were separate from the rest of the vehicle and placed in the front (see engraving above). The following year (1770), Cugnot built a steam-powered tricycle that carried four passengers.

In 1771, Cugnot drove one of his road vehicles into a stone wall, making Cugnot the first person to get into a motor vehicle accident. This was the beginning of bad luck for the inventor. After one of Cugnot's patrons died and the other was exiled, the money for Cugnot's road vehicle experiments ended.

Steam engines powered cars by burning fuel that heated water in a boiler, creating steam that expanded and pushed pistons that turned the crankshaft, which then turned the wheels. During the early history of self-propelled vehicles - both road and railroad vehicles were being developed with steam engines. (Cugnot also designed two steam locomotives with engines that never worked well.) Steam engines added so much weight to a vehicle that they proved a poor design for road vehicles; however, steam engines were very successfully used in locomotives. Historians, who accept that early steam-powered road vehicles were automobiles, feel that Nicolas Cugnot was the inventor of the first automobile

History in short for young people

2009-10-31T20:28:00.000-07:00

Several Italians recorded designs for wind driven vehicles. The first was Guido da Vigevano in 1335. It was a windmill type drive to gears and thus to wheels. Vaturio designed a similar vehicle which was also never built. Later Leonardo da Vinci designed a clockwork driven tricycle with tiller steering and a differential mechanism between the rear wheels.

A Catholic priest named Father Ferdinand Verbiest has been said to have built a steam powered vehicle for the Chinese Emperor Chien Lung in about 1678. There is no information about the vehicle, only the event. Since Thomas Newcomen didn't build his first steam engine until 1712 we can guess that this was possibly a model vehicle powered by a mechanism like Hero's steam engine, a spinning wheel with jets on the periphery. Newcomen's engine had a cylinder and a piston and was the first of this kind, and it used steam as a condensing agent to form a vacuum and with an overhead walking beam, pull on a rod to lift water. It was an enormous thing and was strictly stationary. The steam was not under pressure, just an open boiler piped to the cylinder. It used the same vacuum principle that Thomas Savery had patented to lift water directly with the vacuum, which would have limited his pump to less than 32 feet of lift. Newcomen's lift would have only been limited by the length of the rod and the strength of the valve at the bottom. Somehow Newcomen was not able to separate his invention from that of Savery and had to pay for Savery's rights. In 1765 James Watt developed the first pressurized steam engine which proved to be much more efficient and compact that the Newcomen engine.

Public benefits/costs

2009-08-13T05:11:00.000-07:00

Public benefits/costs

The existence of the automobile allows on-demand travel, given, of course, that the necessary infrastructure is in place. This infrastructure represents a monetary cost, but also cost in terms of common assets that are difficult to represent monetarily, such as land use and air pollution.
The automobile allowed a shift in residential locations, as civil engineering grew to handle the infrastructure requirements, allowing the growth of the suburbs.
As shown by Ford, the automobile changed the economic landscape. The efforts to resolve costs that have ensued from the influence of the automobile, such as pollution and fuel costs, will have a similar impact on the economic landscape.
Effort has gone into identifying and reducing public costs related to the auto.
For instance, providing carpooling lanes to cars with multiple passengers has received attention as it helps reduce traffic. Sharing one or more cars between many people reduces the fixed costs per person and limits extraneous vehicles; the use of fleet vehicles affords savings through joint use of a set of autos by a very large group of persons either for business or pleasure.
Since automobiles demand a high land use, they become increasingly uneconomic with higher population densities. This can either manifest itself in higher costs of driving in densely populated areas (parking fees and road pricing), or, in the absence of a price mechanism, in an shortage in the form of traffic jams.
Public transport, by comparison, becomes increasingly uneconomic with lower population densities. Hence cars tend to dominate in rural and suburban environments, while only fulfilling a secondary role in city center transport.

The costs

2009-08-13T05:10:00.000-07:00

The costs of running a car can be broken down as follows (in no particular order):

• Depreciation
• Fuel (including fuel tax)
• Repairs
• Maintenance, regular
• Maintenance, for car longevity
• Financing
• Insurance
• Parking
• Tolls on Roads, Bridges and Tunnels
• Vehicle tax
• Vehicle inspection
• Registration
• Car Washes
• Accessories
• Opportunity cost
• Part replacement, including:
o Tire replacement
o Brake Pad Replacement
o Battery Replacement
o Light Replacement
o Filters (Cabin Air and Motor Oil)
o Fluid Replacement (Wind shield washer, Motor Oil, Antifreeze, Power Steering)
In the UK Despite rising oil prices, car travel has steadily become cheaper over the past five decades. According to the Department for Transport, the real cost of running a car has dropped by 9% between 1980 and 2007. [7] This development is in part due to more cost effective manufacturing technologies, and in part due to engines becoming more fuel-efficient.
Of the annual running costs of an automobile for the average person, 70–75% are fixed costs (with respect to distance travelled): a 10% increase or decrease in usage should result in a 2.5–3% increase or decrease in annual running costs.
Some of the annual running costs of an automobile, which are important in the economics of ownership, concern the service life; a major factor for this deals with the uncertainty of the car lifespan. Many automobiles, particularly taxis, have achieved very high-mileage (miles driven) status, indicating that maintenance which can extend the car service life may reduce the overall running cost.

Economics usage

2009-08-13T05:08:00.000-07:00

Economics of automobile usage

Compared to other popular modes of passenger transportation, especially buses, the automobile has a relatively high cost per person-kilometre traveled. Nevertheless demand for automobiles remains high and inelastic in rich nations , suggesting that its advantages, such as on-demand and door-to-door travel, are highly prized, despite recent increases in fuel costs, and not easily substituted by cheaper alternative modes of transport, with the present level and type of auto specific infrastructure in the countries with high auto usage.
Public costs related to the automobile are several; effects related to emissions have received a lot of attention, however the impact of manufacturing and disposal is less well-understood.
Private benefits/costs
The benefits of using a car differ by many factors, in regard to location and culture. One general benefit is availability of use which, when coupled with public support via infrastructure (such as roads or fuel stations), can allow highly flexible movement and transportation.
According to the RAC motorists in the UK spend an average of GBP 5,000 (US$ 9,000) per year on their car, or roughly 1/3 of the average net wage; while the RACV suggests[4] roughly AUD10,000 per year, compared to AUD26,000 median income among all Australian adults or AUD66,000 median income among all Australian households[5]. This situation is reflected in most other Western nations. For the average car owner, depreciation constitutes about half the cost of running a car [3]. The typical motorist underestimates this fixed cost by big margin, or even ignores it altogether, according to a survey by the RAC .
There are a number of reasons for the high cost of car transport:
• The typical private car spends most of its lifetime idle and for some vehicles, depreciation is a significant proportion of the total cost.
• Compared to bulk-carrying vehicles such as airplanes, buses, and trains, individual vehicles have worse economies of scale.
• Capacity utilisation is low. The average occupancy of automobiles is below 1.5 passengers in most parts of the world. Measures such as High-occupancy vehicle lanes try to address this issue.

SAFETY

2009-08-13T05:04:00.000-07:00

Safety

There are three main statistics to which automobile safety can be compared:
Death per billion journeys Death per billion Hours Death per billion Kelometres
Bus: 4.3 Bus: 11.1 Air: 0.05Rail: 20 Rail: 30 Bus: 0.4Van: 20 Air: 30.8 Rail: 0.6Car: 40 Water: 50 Van: 1.2Foot: 40 Van: 60 Water: 2.6Water: 90 Car: 130 Car: 3.1
Air: 117 Foot: 220 Bicycle: 44.6Bicycle: 170 Bicycle: 550 Foot: 54.2Motorcycle: 1640 Motorcycle: 4840 Motorcycle: 108.9
While road traffic injuries represent the leading cause in worldwide injury-related deaths, their popularity undermines this statistic.
Mary Ward became one of the first documented automobile fatalities in 1869 in Parsonstown, Ireland and Henry Bliss one of the United States' first pedestrian automobile casualties in 1899 in New York. There are now standard tests for safety in new automobiles, like the EuroNCAP and the US NCAP tests, as well as insurance-backed IIHS tests.

Neoplan AN440A

2009-08-13T05:02:00.000-07:00

A CNG powered high-floor Neoplan AN440A, run on Compressed Natural Gas

The first electric cars were built around 1832, well before internal combustion powered cars appeared.[21] For a period of time electrics were considered superior due to the silent nature of electric motors compared to the very loud noise of the gasoline engine. This advantage was removed with Hiram Percy Maxim's invention of the muffler in 1897. Thereafter internal combustion powered cars had two critical advantages: 1) long range and 2) high specific energy (far lower weight of petrol fuel versus weight of batteries). The building of battery electric vehicles that could rival internal combustion models had to wait for the introduction of modern semiconductor controls and improved batteries. Because they can deliver a high torque at low revolutions electric cars do not require such a complex drive train and transmission as internal combustion powered cars. Some post-2000 electric car designs such as the Venturi Fétish are able to accelerate from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.0 seconds with a top speed around 130 mph (210 km/h). Others have a range of 250 miles (400 km) on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highway cycle requiring 3-1/2 hours to completely charge. Equivalent fuel efficiency to internal combustion is not well defined but some press reports give it at around 135 miles per US gallon
Steam
Steam power, usually using an oil- or gas-heated boiler, was also in use until the 1930s but had the major disadvantage of being unable to power the car until boiler pressure was available (although the newer models could achieve this in well under a minute). It has the advantage of being able to produce very low emissions as the combustion process can be carefully controlled. Its disadvantages include poor heat efficiency and extensive requirements for electric auxiliaries..
Air
A compressed air car is an alternative fuel car that uses a motor powered by compressed air. The car can be powered solely by air, or by air combined (as in a hybrid electric vehicle) with gasoline/diesel/ethanol or electric plant and regenerative braking. Instead of mixing fuel with air and burning it to drive pistons with hot expanding gases; compressed air cars use the expansion of compressed air to drive their pistons. Several prototypes are available already and scheduled for worldwide sale by the end of 2008, though this has not happened as of January 2009. Companies releasing this type of car include Tata Motors and Motor Development International (MDI).
Gas turbine
In the 1950s there was a brief interest in using gas turbine engines and several makers including Rover and Chrysler produced prototypes. In spite of the power units being very compact, high fuel consumption, severe delay in throttle response, and lack of engine braking meant no cars reached production.
Rotary (Wankel) engines
Rotary Wankel engines were introduced into road cars by NSU with the Ro 80 and later were seen in the Citroën GS Birotor and several Mazda models. In spite of their impressive smoothness, poor reliability and fuel economy led to them largely disappearing. Mazda, beginning with the R100 then RX-2, has continued research on these engines, overcoming most of the earlier problems with the RX-7 and RX-8.
Rocket and jet cars
A rocket car holds the record in drag racing. However, the fastest of those cars are used to set the Land Speed Record, and are propelled by propulsive jets emitted from rocket, turbojet, or more recently and most successfully turbofan engines. The ThrustSSC car using two Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans with reheat was able to exceed the speed of sound at ground level in 1997.

MARK-II

2009-08-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

2007 Mark II (BMW) Mini Cooper

Gasoline engines have the advantage over diesel in being lighter and able to work at higher rotational speeds and they are the usual choice for fitting in high-performance sports cars. Continuous development of gasoline engines for over a hundred years has produced improvements in efficiency and reduced pollution. The carburetor was used on nearly all road car engines until the 1980s but it was long realised better control of the fuel/air mixture could be achieved with fuel injection. Indirect fuel injection was first used in aircraft engines from 1909, in racing car engines from the 1930s, and road cars from the late 1950s. Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) is now starting to appear in production vehicles such as the 2007 (Mark II) BMW Mini. Exhaust gases are also cleaned up by fitting a catalytic converter into the exhaust system. Clean air legislation in many of the car industries most important markets has made both catalysts and fuel injection virtually universal fittings. Most modern gasoline engines also are capable of running with up to 15% ethanol mixed into the gasoline - older vehicles may have seals and hoses that can be harmed by ethanol. With a small amount of redesign, gasoline-powered vehicles can run on ethanol concentrations as high as 85%. 100% ethanol is used in some parts of the world (such as Brazil), but vehicles must be started on pure gasoline and switched over to ethanol once the engine is running. Most gasoline engined cars can also run on LPG with the addition of an LPG tank for fuel storage and carburettor modifications to add an LPG mixer. LPG produces fewer toxic emissions and is a popular fuel for fork-lift trucks that have to operate inside buildings.
The hydrogen powered FCHV (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle) was developed by Toyota in 2005
Biofuels
Ethanol, other alcohol fuels (biobutanol) and biogasoline have widespread use an automotive fuel. Most alcohols have less energy per liter than gasoline and are usually blended with gasoline. Alcohols are used for a variety of reasons - to increase octane, to improve emissions, and as an alternative to petroleum based fuel, since they can be made from agricultural crops. Brazil's ethanol program provides about 20% of the nation's automotive fuel needs, as a result of the mandatory use of E25 blend of gasoline throughout the country, 3 million cars that operate on pure ethanol, and 6 million dual or flexible-fuel vehicles sold since 2003. that run on any mix of ethanol and gasoline. The commercial success of "flex" vehicles, as they are popularly known, have allowed sugarcane based ethanol fuel to achieve a 50% market share of the gasoline market by April 2008.
Electric
The Henney Kilowatt, the first modern (transistor-controlled) electric car.
2007 Tesla electric powered Roadster
Tata/MDI OneCAT Air Car

Production

2009-08-13T04:59:00.001-07:00

Production of Automobile

Ransom E. Olds.
The large-scale, production-line manufacturing of affordable automobiles was debuted by Ransom Olds at his Oldsmobile factory in 1902. This concept was greatly expanded by Henry Ford, beginning in 1914.
As a result, Ford's cars came off the line in fifteen minute intervals, much faster than previous methods, increasing productivity eight fold (requiring 12.5 man-hours before, 1 hour 33 minutes after), while using less manpower. It was so successful, paint became a bottleneck. Only Japan black would dry fast enough, forcing the company to drop the variety of colors available before 1914, until fast-drying Duco lacquer was developed in 1926. This is the source of Ford's apocryphal remark, "any color as long as it's black".In 1914, an assembly line worker could buy a Model T with four months' pay.
Portrait of Henry Ford (ca. 1919)
Ford's complex safety procedures—especially assigning each worker to a specific location instead of allowing them to roam about—dramatically reduced the rate of injury. The combination of high wages and high efficiency is called "Fordism," and was copied by most major industries. The efficiency gains from the assembly line also coincided with the economic rise of the United States. The assembly line forced workers to work at a certain pace with very repetitive motions which led to more output per worker while other countries were using less productive methods.
In the automotive industry, its success was dominating, and quickly spread worldwide seeing the founding of Ford France and Ford Britain in 1911, Ford Denmark 1923, Ford Germany 1925; in 1921, Citroen was the first native European manufacturer to adopt the production method. Soon, companies had to have assembly lines, or risk going broke; by 1930, 250 companies which did not, had disappeared.
Development of automotive technology was rapid, due in part to the hundreds of small manufacturers competing to gain the world's attention. Key developments included electric ignition and the electric self-starter (both by Charles Kettering, for the Cadillac Motor Company in 1910-1911), independent suspension, and four-wheel brakes.
Ford Model T, 1927, regarded as the first affordable American automobile
Since the 1920s, nearly all cars have been mass-produced to meet market needs, so marketing plans often have heavily influenced automobile design. It was Alfred P. Sloan who established the idea of different makes of cars produced by one company, so buyers could "move up" as their fortunes improved.
Reflecting the rapid pace of change, makes shared parts with one another so larger production volume resulted in lower costs for each price range. For example, in the 1930s, LaSalles, sold by Cadillac, used cheaper mechanical parts made by Oldsmobile; in the 1950s, Chevrolet shared hood, doors, roof, and windows with Pontiac; by the 1990s, corporate drivetrains and shared platforms (with interchangeable brakes, suspension, and other parts) were common. Even so, only major makers could afford high costs, and even companies with decades of production, such as Apperson, Cole, Dorris, Haynes, or Premier, could not manage: of some two hundred American car makers in existence in 1920, only 43 survived in 1930, and with the Great Depression, by 1940, only 17 of those were left.
In Europe much the same would happen. Morris set up its production line at Cowley in 1924, and soon outsold Ford, while beginning in 1923 to follow Ford's practise of vertical integration, buying Hotchkiss (engines), Wrigley (gearboxes), and Osberton (radiators), for instance, as well as competitors, such as Wolseley: in 1925, Morris had 41% of total British car production. Most British small-car assemblers, from Abbey to Xtra had gone under. Citroen did the same in France, coming to cars in 1919; between them and other cheap cars in reply such as Renault's 10CV and Peugeot's 5CV, they produced 550,000 cars in 1925, and Mors, Hurtu, and others could not compete. Germany's first mass-manufactured car, the Opel 4PS Laubfrosch (Tree Frog), came off the line at Russelsheim in 1924, soon making Opel the top car builder in Germany, with 37.5% of the market.
Fuel and propulsion technologies
Most automobiles in use today are propelled by gasoline (also known as petrol) or diesel internal combustion engines, which are known to cause air pollution and are also blamed for contributing to climate change and global warming. Increasing costs of oil-based fuels, tightening environmental laws and restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions are propelling work on alternative power systems for automobiles. Efforts to improve or replace existing technologies include the development of hybrid vehicles, and electric and hydrogen vehicles which do not release pollution into the air.
Petroleum fuels
Petroleum, in one form or another, is not a recent discovery but is now an important part of politics society and technology. The invention of the internal combustion engine was the major influence in the rise in the importance of petroleum. In the modern world petroleum has an influence across society, including geopolitics.
More than four thousand years ago, according to Herodotus and confirmed by Diodorus Siculus, asphalt was employed in the construction of the walls and towers of Babylon; there were oil pits near Ardericca (near Babylon), and a pitch spring on Zacynthus. Great quantities of it were found on the banks of the river Issus, one of the tributaries of the Euphrates. Ancient Persian tablets indicate the medicinal and lighting uses of petroleum in the upper levels of their society.
Today, about 90% of vehicular fuel needs are met by oil. Petroleum also makes up 40% of total energy consumption in the United States, but is responsible for only 2% of electricity generation. Petroleum's worth as a portable, dense energy source powering the vast majority of vehicles and as the base of many industrial chemicals makes it one of the world's most important commodities.
The top three oil producing countries are Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the America80% of the world's readily accessible reserves are located in the Middle East, with 62.5% coming from the Arab 5: Saudi Arabia (12.5%), UAE, Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait. However, with high oil prices, (above $100/barrel) Venezuela has larger reserves than Saudi Arabia due to crude reserves derived from bitumen.
Diesel
Diesel-engined cars have long been popular in Europe with the first models being introduced as early as 1922 by Peugeot and the first production car, Mercedes-Benz 260 D in 1936 by Mercedes-Benz. The main benefit of diesel engines is a 50% fuel burn efficiency compared with 27% in the best gasoline engines. A down-side of the Diesel engine is that better filters are required to reduce the presence in the exhaust gases of fine soot particulates called diesel particulate matter. Manufacturers are now starting to fit[when?] diesel particulate filters to remove the soot. Many diesel-powered cars can run with little or no modifications on 100% biodiesel and combinations of other organic oils.
Gasoline

automobilea1

2009-08-13T04:56:00.000-07:00

A photograph of the original Benz Patent Motorwagen, first built in 1885 and awarded the patent for the concept

In 1879 Benz was granted a patent for his first engine, which had been designed in 1878. Many of his other inventions made the use of the internal combustion engine feasible for powering a vehicle.
His first Motorwagen was built in 1885 and he was awarded the patent for its invention as of his application on January 29, 1886. Benz began promotion of the vehicle on July 3, 1886 and approximately 25 Benz vehicles were sold between 1888 and 1893, when his first four-wheeler was introduced along with a model intended for affordability. They also were powered with four-stroke engines of his own design. Emile Roger of France, already producing Benz engines under license, now added the Benz automobile to his line of products. Because France was more open to the early automobiles, initially more were built and sold in France through Roger than Benz sold in Germany.
In 1896, Benz designed and patented the first internal-combustion flat engine, called a boxermotor in German. During the last years of the nineteenth century, Benz was the largest automobile company in the world with 572 units produced in 1899 and because of its size, Benz & Cie., became a joint-stock company.
Daimler and Maybach founded Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (Daimler Motor Company, DMG) in Cannstatt in 1890 and under the brand name, Daimler, sold their first automobile in 1892, which was a horse-drawn stagecoach built by another manufacturer, that they retrofitted with an engine of their design. By 1895 about 30 vehicles had been built by Daimler and Maybach, either at the Daimler works or in the Hotel Hermann, where they set up shop after falling out with their backers. Benz and the Maybach and Daimler team seem to have been unaware of each other's early work. They never worked together because by the time of the merger of the two companies, Daimler and Maybach were no longer part of DMG.
Daimler died in 1900 and later that year, Maybach designed an engine named Daimler-Mercedes, that was placed in a specially-ordered model built to specifications set by Emil Jellinek. This was a production of a small number of vehicles for Jellinek to race and market in his country. Two years later, in 1902, a new model DMG automobile was produced and the model was named Mercedes after the Maybach engine which generated 35 hp. Maybach quit DMG shortly thereafter and opened a business of his own. Rights to the Daimler brand name were sold to other manufacturers.
Karl Benz proposed co-operation between DMG and Benz & Cie. when economic conditions began to deteriorate in Germany following the First World War, but the directors of DMG refused to consider it initially. Negotiations between the two companies resumed several years later when these conditions worsened and, in 1924 they signed an Agreement of Mutual Interest, valid until the year 2000. Both enterprises standardized design, production, purchasing, and sales and they advertised or marketed their automobile models jointly—although keeping their respective brands.
On June 28, 1926, Benz & Cie. and DMG finally merged as the Daimler-Benz company, baptizing all of its automobiles Mercedes Benz as a brand honoring the most important model of the DMG automobiles, the Maybach design later referred to as the 1902 Mercedes-35hp, along with the Benz name. Karl Benz remained a member of the board of directors of Daimler-Benz until his death in 1929 and at times, his two sons participated in the management of the company as well.
In 1890, Emile Levassor and Armand Peugeot of France began producing vehicles with Daimler engines and so laid the foundation of the automobile industry in France.
The first design for an American automobile with a gasoline internal combustion engine was drawn in 1877 by George Selden of Rochester, New York, who applied for a patent for an automobile in 1879, but the patent application expired because the vehicle was never built. After a delay of sixteen years and a series of attachments to his application, on November 5, 1895, Selden was granted a United States patent (U.S. Patent 549,160) for a two-stroke automobile engine, which hindered, more than encouraged, development of automobiles in the United States. His patent was challenged by Henry Ford and others, and overturned in 1911.
In Britain there had been several attempts to build steam cars with varying degrees of success with Thomas Rickett even attempting a production run in 1860. Santler from Malvern is recognized by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain as having made the first petrol-powered car in the country in 1894 followed by Frederick William Lanchester in 1895 but these were both one-offs. The first production vehicles in Great Britain came from the Daimler Motor Company, a company founded by Harry J. Lawson in 1896 after purchasing the right to use the name of the engines. Lawson's company made its first automobiles in 1897 and they bore the name Daimler.
In 1892, German engineer Rudolf Diesel was granted a patent for a "New Rational Combustion Engine". In 1897 he built the first Diesel Engine. Steam-, electric-, and gasoline-powered vehicles competed for decades, with gasoline internal combustion engines achieving dominance in the 1910s.
Although various pistonless rotary engine designs have attempted to compete with the conventional piston and crankshaft design, only Mazda's version of the Wankel engine has had more than very limited success.

A photograph of the original Benz Patent Motorwagen, first built in 1885 and awarded the patent for the concept
In 1879 Benz was granted a patent for his first engine, which had been designed in 1878. Many of his other inventions made the use of the internal combustion engine feasible for powering a vehicle.
His first Motorwagen was built in 1885 and he was awarded the patent for its invention as of his application on January 29, 1886. Benz began promotion of the vehicle on July 3, 1886 and approximately 25 Benz vehicles were sold between 1888 and 1893, when his first four-wheeler was introduced along with a model intended for affordability. They also were powered with four-stroke engines of his own design. Emile Roger of France, already producing Benz engines under license, now added the Benz automobile to his line of products. Because France was more open to the early automobiles, initially more were built and sold in France through Roger than Benz sold in Germany.
In 1896, Benz designed and patented the first internal-combustion flat engine, called a boxermotor in German. During the last years of the nineteenth century, Benz was the largest automobile company in the world with 572 units produced in 1899 and because of its size, Benz & Cie., became a joint-stock company.
Daimler and Maybach founded Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (Daimler Motor Company, DMG) in Cannstatt in 1890 and under the brand name, Daimler, sold their first automobile in 1892, which was a horse-drawn stagecoach built by another manufacturer, that they retrofitted with an engine of their design. By 1895 about 30 vehicles had been built by Daimler and Maybach, either at the Daimler works or in the Hotel Hermann, where they set up shop after falling out with their backers. Benz and the Maybach and Daimler team seem to have been unaware of each other's early work. They never worked together because by the time of the merger of the two companies, Daimler and Maybach were no longer part of DMG.
Daimler died in 1900 and later that year, Maybach designed an engine named Daimler-Mercedes, that was placed in a specially-ordered model built to specifications set by Emil Jellinek. This was a production of a small number of vehicles for Jellinek to race and market in his country. Two years later, in 1902, a new model DMG automobile was produced and the model was named Mercedes after the Maybach engine which generated 35 hp. Maybach quit DMG shortly thereafter and opened a business of his own. Rights to the Daimler brand name were sold to other manufacturers.
Karl Benz proposed co-operation between DMG and Benz & Cie. when economic conditions began to deteriorate in Germany following the First World War, but the directors of DMG refused to consider it initially. Negotiations between the two companies resumed several years later when these conditions worsened and, in 1924 they signed an Agreement of Mutual Interest, valid until the year 2000. Both enterprises standardized design, production, purchasing, and sales and they advertised or marketed their automobile models jointly—although keeping their respective brands.
On June 28, 1926, Benz & Cie. and DMG finally merged as the Daimler-Benz company, baptizing all of its automobiles Mercedes Benz as a brand honoring the most important model of the DMG automobiles, the Maybach design later referred to as the 1902 Mercedes-35hp, along with the Benz name. Karl Benz remained a member of the board of directors of Daimler-Benz until his death in 1929 and at times, his two sons participated in the management of the company as well.
In 1890, Emile Levassor and Armand Peugeot of France began producing vehicles with Daimler engines and so laid the foundation of the automobile industry in France.
The first design for an American automobile with a gasoline internal combustion engine was drawn in 1877 by George Selden of Rochester, New York, who applied for a patent for an automobile in 1879, but the patent application expired because the vehicle was never built. After a delay of sixteen years and a series of attachments to his application, on November 5, 1895, Selden was granted a United States patent (U.S. Patent 549,160) for a two-stroke automobile engine, which hindered, more than encouraged, development of automobiles in the United States. His patent was challenged by Henry Ford and others, and overturned in 1911.
In Britain there had been several attempts to build steam cars with varying degrees of success with Thomas Rickett even attempting a production run in 1860. Santler from Malvern is recognized by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain as having made the first petrol-powered car in the country in 1894 followed by Frederick William Lanchester in 1895 but these were both one-offs. The first production vehicles in Great Britain came from the Daimler Motor Company, a company founded by Harry J. Lawson in 1896 after purchasing the right to use the name of the engines. Lawson's company made its first automobiles in 1897 and they bore the name Daimler.
In 1892, German engineer Rudolf Diesel was granted a patent for a "New Rational Combustion Engine". In 1897 he built the first Diesel Engine. Steam-, electric-, and gasoline-powered vehicles competed for decades, with gasoline internal combustion engines achieving dominance in the 1910s.
Although various pistonless rotary engine designs have attempted to compete with the conventional piston and crankshaft design, only Mazda's version of the Wankel engine has had more than very limited success.

Automobile Introduction

2009-08-13T04:50:00.000-07:00

Automobile
History of automobile
Ferdinand Verbiest, a member of a Jesuit mission in China, built the first steam-powered vehicle around 1672 which was of small scale and designed as a toy for the Chinese Emperor that was unable to carry a driver or a passenger, but quite possibly, was the first working steam-powered vehicle ('auto-mobile'). Although Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot is often credited with building the first self-propelled mechanical vehicle or automobile in about 1769 by adapting an existing horse-drawn vehicle, this claim is disputed by some who doubt Cugnot's three-wheeler ever ran or was stable. What is not in doubt is that Richard Trevithick built and demonstrated his Puffing Devil road locomotive in 1801, believed by many to be the first demonstration of a steam-powered road vehicle although it was unable to maintain sufficient steam pressure for long periods, and would have been of little practical use.
In Russia, in the 1780s, Ivan Kulibin developed a human-pedalled, three-wheeled carriage with modern features such as a flywheel, brake, gear box, and bearings; however, it was not developed further.
François Isaac de Rivaz, a Swiss inventor, designed the first internal combustion engine, in 1806, which was fueled by a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen and used it to develop the world's first vehicle, albeit rudimentary, to be powered by such an engine. The design was not very successful, as was the case with others such as Samuel Brown, Samuel Morey, and Etienne Lenoir with his hippo mobile, who each produced vehicles (usually adapted carriages or carts) powered by clumsy internal combustion engines.
In November 1881 French inventor Gustave Trouve demonstrated a working three-wheeled automobile that was powered by electricity. This was at the International Exhibition of Electricity in Paris.
Although several other German engineers (including Gottlieb Daimler, Wilhelm May-bach, and Siegfried Marcus) were working on the problem at about the same time, Karl Benz generally is acknowledged as the inventor of the modern automobile.
An automobile powered by his own four-stroke cycle gasoline engine was built in Mannheim, Germany by Karl Benz in 1885 and granted a patent in January of the following year under the auspices of his major company, Benz & Cie., which was founded in 1883. It was an integral design, without the adaptation of other existing components and including several new technological elements to create a new concept. This is what made it worthy of a patent. He began to sell his production vehicles in 1888.

INTRODUCTION<<<<>>>>>

2009-07-19T02:52:00.003-07:00

INTRO>>A Mustang is a free roaming feral horse of the North America west that first descended from horses brought to the Americas by the Spanish. Mustangs are often referred to as wild horses, but the more correct term is feral horses.

IN POPULAR CULTURE;

2009-07-19T02:51:00.001-07:00

The Mustang has been on the car and Driver Ten Best list five times: 1983, 87, 88, 2005 and 2006, and won the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in both 1974 and 1994. Ford Division’s entire car line won the Car(s) of the Year award in 1964, which was the Mustang’s first year of production, but a few weeks before its actual introduction. In the late 1960s and into the mid 1970s Boss 302 Mustangs were prominently used in the Trans Am Series. The engines in the Boss 429 Mustangs wer used for NASCAR races in 1969 and 1970 in the Ford Torino. Mustangs are used in a number of different racing series, including the KONI challenges series, where it won the manufacturers title in 2005. The Mustang remains a popular track and drag strip car at amateur and professional levels of competition.

THE ORIGINAL BEAST

2009-07-19T02:50:00.002-07:00

The base model came with a 3.8 L V6 engine with a displacement of 232 cubic inches (3797 cc) which was rated at (1994-1195) 145 hp (108 kw ) or (1996-98) 150 hp (112kw). After nearly 40 years, Ford retired its 302 CID overhead –valve small block V8 and it 1996, the 4.6 liter Ford Modular engine was introduced for the first time for the Mustang.

In 1999, the Mustang received Ford’s ‘New Edge’ styling theme with sharper contours, larger wheel arches, and creases in the body work, but is basic proportions remained the same as the previous redesign. Ford introduce a completely redesigned Mustang which was codenamed “S-197” and based on an all new D2C platform for the 2005 model year. Developed under the direction of Chief Engineer Hau Thai-Tang and exterior styling designer, sid Ramnarace, the fifth generation Mustang draws inspiration from Mustangs of the 1960s, notably the 1969-70 model. The Mustang is a must for all car lovers…

AUTO FOCUS

2009-07-19T02:50:00.001-07:00

The Mustang had the most successful car launching in auto mobile history, selling, in its first eighteen months, more than one million cars. The Ford Mustang needs no introduction to any car enthusiasts and popular culture has made the care an icon of phenomenonal proportions. Firs conceived by Ford product manager Donald N. Frey, and championed by Ford Division general manager Lee Iacocca, the Mustang proto type was a two seat, mid engine roadster.
Much of the chassis, suspension, and drive train components were derived from the Ford Falcon and Fairlane. The car had a unitized platform type frame, which was taken from the 1964 Falcon, and welded box section side rails, including welded crossmembers. The Mustang grew larger and heavier with each passing year. This would make the care meaner and faster. Also, around this time the concept of drag racing was reaching its peak and the mustang would go on to be the ideal car to fit this bill. In 1994, the Mustang underwent its first major redesign in 15 years. The design, code name “SN-95” by Frod, was based on an updated version of the rear wheel drive Fox platform known as “Fox-4”.

Beganing>>>>

2009-07-19T02:49:00.000-07:00

People of Primitive tribes moved from one place to another in search of food and shelter. The needs during their time were limited and there were no means for their movement. As time went by, the people gradually started living in groups of like minded people or in families. In course of time village were formed and interrelationship between villages increased. Human establishments changed and towns and cities were formed. Then people started using animals for carrying themselves or their goods for barter or in later time, for sale. It was during this stage of civilization that there was of transportation. Transportation is the system for carrying people or goods from place to another using vehicles, roads, etc. But in primitive days animals were used in place of modern vehicles. There are various means of transportation to help people for meeting relatives, for business or for going up to their places of work.

Automobiles

2009-07-18T17:54:00.002-07:00

Automobiles industry is not new, it is as old as when the human race has began. It is started with the early stone age. When early man used to transport their goods with the help of different ideas. Since then dramatic change has been made by human in the field of automobile industry. Now days we've seen the developed era of automobiles in its field with latest technology which draws attention from across the world. We knew that automobiles plays a vital role in our day to day life. It makes our life easier, simpler and more advanced with its up-to-dated technology. This is the technology which took a huge market in the field of business. It provides comfort and easy way of livelihood. No one can escape from its features and its technology.