Friday, March 12, 2010

2011 Cadillac CTS and Mazda CX-9 GT

The CTS 2010 is expected to come supplied with a new engine and it will make a style wagon. The sport wagon model silk and CTS will be powered by a V6 3.0-liter power capable of producing up to 270 hp, while the 2010-9 CX AWD GT model will be the first group of Mazda, which will have capacity to accommodate up to 7 passengers.

The other engine available for the 2010 CTS is a model V6 3.6 liters producing power levels of up to 304 hp. Both engines are mated to a six standard manual transmission and is likely to be offered with 6-speed automatic also.

The high-performance CTS-V model will also be offered in 2010, powered by a V8 engine of 6.2 liters supercharged that can result in power levels up to massive 556 hp. The engine of this model will be coupled to a level of 6-speed automatic, and it will also offer 6-speed manual transmission as an option.

As for the finishes being offered by CTS 2010 model are concerned, it can offer in a wide variety of trim models, ranging from basic four-door rear-wheel silk high-performance CTS-V. The base model 2010 Cadillac CTS will have a length of 191.6 cm, width of 72.5 inches and height of 59.2 inches. It will have the wheel base of 113.4 inches and curb weight 3872 pounds.

The AWD will be a 2010 sport utility vehicle designed especially for the needs of the family that provides more space for passengers and for cargo. Motor vehicles available for the 2010-9 CX AWD GT model will include a 3.7 liter power capable of producing up to 273 HP at an angular velocity of 6250 rpm. The engine is mated to a level of 6-speed automatic transmission.





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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

The Best of Both Worlds Of Luxury Cars With Convertible Tops

For years, a convertible roof was a feature only offered with sports cars or muscle cars. Ford Mustangs, Chevy Camaros, and other similar vehicles would always come with a convertible option, giving their drivers a unique top down, wind in the hair experience. These convertibles offered a feeling of freedom that most drivers could only envy. However, for those drivers who preferred luxury automobiles, there were other restrictions to worry about. Most luxury vehicles were designed to offer a smooth, comfortable driving experience, not a fast, sporty one. With the exception of Porsche, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, which always had a focus on combining speed with high end amenities, other luxury automotive companies couldn't provide a similar exhilarating driving experience. When the manufacturer saw a demand for a car that combined sportiness and classic luxury, a new option arose: the luxury convertible car.

This car changed the expectations that customers had for their high-end vehicles. Auto makers such as BMW and Audi were now able to offer a sportier car, with a convertible top, that didn't only focus on the driver. High-end sports cars are two seat speedsters, and are designed solely with the driver in mind. For example, a Porsche 911 turbo is clearly not meant to be a passenger car, while the BMW 3 series could provide the speed, convertible top, and 5-passenger comfort. This new breed of convertible, coupled with increased horse power, would give the owner a full sports car driving experience without the limited cabin space. Because these cars don't skimp on the amenities either, they are still viewed as complete luxury vehicles.

With the burgeoning success of these crossover vehicles, companies like BMW, Mercedes Benz, and Audi felt that they could earned the clout to offer a full on sports car to the market as well. Convertibles like the BMW Z4, Mercedes CLK200, and Audi TT would give these companies the chance to ride out the sports car wave that they started with their transitional luxury sports cars. Buyers now had options to choose from, regardless of what manufacturer they preferred, or the price tag they were looking for. Now there will always be the option of a high end luxury vehicle that boasts a convertible top and increased horsepower and a traditional convertible sports car that offers all the speed and agility of their Porsche counterparts.






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Saturday, March 6, 2010

New Skoda Car to Arrive in Australia

Skoda leading automaker in Czech Republic and a subsidiary of Volkswagen maker of the unparalleled VW engine part has announced recently that it will return to Australia in October. It can be recalled that Skoda used to be treated as a big joke in the automotive world but with the disciplined that it gets from its German parent company; Skoda has been able to obtain Teutonic know-how, engineering and quality standards which has helped it to become the automaker it is today.

Skoda vehicles are to be distributed by Volkswagen Group Australia after its debut at the Sydney Motor Show. The lineup for Australia will include mid-size front-wheel-drive Octavia sedan and wagon plus the funky-looking five-door-wagon-cum-people mover called the Roomster. Both of these models were built at a modern plant at Mlada Boleslav near Prague.

To lead the range is a high-performance 147 kW, 2 liter FSI turbocharged Octavia RS. Volkswagen also plans to add the VW Polo-sized Fabia next year to the range of vehicles to be sold in Australia. The VW Polo-sized Fabia has been previously presented at the Geneva Motor Show. And by 2009 Volkswagen will launch a new generation version of its long-wheelbase Superb sedan.

The basic selling point of Skoda is its prices and this same strategy is what the automaker will also employ in Australia. The prices of Skoda vehicles to be sold in Australia will start from $16,000 for the Fabia and up to the mid $40,000s for the Superb.

And although Skoda vehicles are built using VW engine parts and components it is still 5 to 8 percent cheaper that its equivalent Volkswagen models due to the low-cost production price at Eastern Europe. Volkswagen Group Australia executive this makes the Skoda especially appealing to cost-conscious Australian buyers who wants European cars.

The plan to sell Skoda in Australia has been developed last year, however pricing and local identity issues have delayed the plans. But now since everything has been finally settled the moving is finally moving forward with its plans.

Matthew Weisner Volkswagen Group Australia general manager, press and public relations have been appointed head of Skoda Australia and part of his responsibility is to re-launch the brand. The first Octavia and Roomster are to be sold through 15 VW dealerships. Wiesner also emphasized the Skoda and VW would be distinct even with BMW which sells its Mini brands through associated dealers. "You won't see shared Volkswagen-Skoda showrooms. We've got to give them more separation. Obviously we need to protect what we've done with Volkswagen but at the same time grow the Skoda branding," said Weisner.

But eventually half of VW's 56 dealers nationally will be made to sell Skodas. "By the end of 2008 we'd like to have about 25 dealers. The regional-rural side of the business will be very important, particularly with Skoda's turbo-diesel line-up," added Weisner.

After-sales services are also going to be improved and with the well developed network and highly trained technicians, servicing and logistics is not going to be a problem. Despite the seemed to be flawless sales plan of Volkswagen in Australia, Weisner is still worried that the company's lack of profile may affect the sales turnover. It should be noted that Skodas have not been sold in Australia for almost 25 years.

"We've got to be creative about how we sell the Skoda message. We need to reasonably clever in how we go about it. It's a pretty congested market, so we have to come up with a reasonable answer to the question of why you would consider a Skoda," explained Weisner. He also described himself as"cautious but optimistic" about Skoda.

Presently there 41 different passenger car brands that are fighting to take a slice of the sales pie and Skoda must try to find its way through the ultra competitive market. Another fear of Weisner is that the Skoda may cannibalize VW sales. But then he said, "Yes, we have to be mindful of that. That's why it has taken such a long time to put this together. We need to be very careful how we approach both marques, because there's no point robbing Peter to pay Paul. You get one opportunity to do it properly."

Weisner also admitted that positioning Skoda without affecting the VW sales is one of the challenges that he is facing right now. "We're hoping the Skoda buyer will be an aspirational European buyer who might not have been able to stretch themselves before. They might always have been Japanese buyers who have aspired to Europe and hopefully we'll give them that opportunity," said Weisner.






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Skoda Laura One Of The New Luxury Sedan

Skoda marks its presence in the luxury segment in India with its Octavia and Laura. Skoda Octavia has spelled success ever since it was launched. Laura picked up slowly and still marks a good presence on the Indian roads. A new version of Skoda Laura was also launched, Skoda Laura Ambient also made a quiet entry in to the market subsequently. Although the both the models have marked a subtle presence, nevertheless, both have their unique characteristics that make their owners be proud of their style and elegance. Skoda Laura competes with against Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry in its segment.

The Power and the Technology

Skoda Laura is based on the A5 platform that is accompanied with cutting edge technology which tries its best to match the Indian road and driving conditions. It has a 1.9 Pump Dense Technology engine that is known for its low emission which is BS III complaint. This engine also delivers good fuel efficiency. It gains its top speed as 189Kmph. It comes with automatic and tip-tronic transmission that has six forward and one reverse gear. It has McPherson suspension in the front while the rear wheels have multi-element axle with one longitudinal and three transverse links. It has dual braking system in front and back and comes with power steering.

The exteriors are plush and stylish with extremely elegant look. It is a 4-door 5-seater car and a shining fully galvanised body. Interiors also carry stunning look that are well designed for maximum comfort. The overall design quite resembles with Skoda Octavia. It has a storage capacity of 560 litres that can be extended up to 1350 litres by folding the rear seats.

You can experience the rich upholstery, adjustable driver seats that have memory setting options so that it remembers your preferences. A long wheelbase gives a lot of room to the driver and makes driving the vehicle a real pleasure. It has an illuminated and refrigerated glove compartment with ample storage amenities. It carries all the safety measures that are usually present in any luxury car in the same segment.

The new Skoda Laura can give 11-16 kmph fuel efficiency on the city roads. It is priced at Rs 16-17 lakh in India and is amongst the elite peers in its segment that offers enticing looks clubbed with superb technology. It is available in 5 colours in India to choose from - Storm Blue, Candy White, Black Magic, Diamond Silver and Sahara Beige.

However, smaller changes in style and technology can further enhance the worth of the model. The front vent sometimes makes it difficult to see in front. The tyres still need to be improved upon for Indian road conditions. Moreover, the car still needs further adaptability for Indian driving conditions. The audio system can be still better but on the whole the car is a queen in the luxury segment that is tough enough to give a good competition to Accord, Camry or Sonata.






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Monday, March 1, 2010

The Great Skoda Octavia

At the beginning of December 1895 the mechanic Václav Laurin and the book-seller Václav Klement, both bicycle enthusiasts, started manufacturing bicycles of their own design, patriotically named Slavia in the nationalist atmosphere of the end of the 19th century. A few years later, in 1899, the Laurin & Klement Co. began producing motorcycles, which were soon successful and gained several racing victories. After initial experiments at the turn of century, producing of motorcycles was gradually replaced by automobiles form 1905 onward.

Many, many years later in the creation of Skoda Octavia, the company laboured hard in producing the most advanced technology therefore making every part to be high in quality and with outstanding technical specifications. Basically, the Skoda Octavia is a small family car created by Skoda Auto in the year 1996. The name itself was patterned after a certain model which was originally released in 1959 and 1971.

The vibrant and fresh interior of the Skoda Octavia will guarantee every passenger to have a relaxed feeling while boarding to their destination. It is mounted with excellent Volkswagen Group switchgear as well as good quality plastics. Space is never an issue since there is sufficient room for both front and rear seat occupants and it is designed in such a way that it will be a cosy place to stay in. The hatchback's boot is huge. Its dashboard which was fashioned using PU technology is transparent with smooth curves and surface that will be very pleasing to touch. Controls are properly arranged and numerous storage compartments are mounted that will only make staying inside as comfortable as one longed for in a vehicle. Moreover, all of its upholstery are carefully made therefore creating beautiful ambiance within. And with all these features, what more would you look in a vehicle?

In essence, the first generation Skoda Octavia which was launched in the year 1996 paved the way to make the company renowned in the automotive world. Upon its released, it harboured a huge success because of its strength, sophistication and value for money. The model was based purely on Volkswagen Golf but considerably with larger body that tenders better comfort. And although the chassis is not working really well, it can still go along with ease even on twisty curves and will go fine even on extra long journeys. One seen problem with this vehicle is it creates enormous wind noise which can go even on the cabin at motorway travelling speed and because of its flaws; the company decided that in the year 2000, the first generation will have a facelift. After then, it was still being marketed most particularly in Germany, Asia, and West Europe where it bears the name as Octavia Tour.

The revolutionized in Skoda Octavia model only proves of the company's commitment to improve their model to answer the demand of their supporters. And they are also highly sensitive to what their critics had to say because they believe that these people would help them in the improvement of their models making them a competitive brand in the automotive world.






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The History of Skoda Cars

Skoda is in existence today due in part to the foul letter of reply sent by a German bicycle manufacturer to a customer in 1894.

Bookseller by trade, 26- year old Vaclav Klement's bicycle was in need of repair. He sent a letter of request, written in Czech, for service to the German manufacturer of his bicycle. The letter was answered. It stated, "If you would like an answer to your inquiry, you should try writing in a language we can understand". Consequently, this was all Vlacav Klement needed to get-the-wheels-turning. In 1895, Klement opened his own bicycle repair shop. He partnered with an established bicycle manufacturer, Vaclav Laurin, in Mlada Boleslav ( today's Czech Republic).

In 1898, Klement and Laurin bought a motorcycle, which turned out to be a faulty design. After Laurin lost a front tooth in a minor crash while operating the motorcycle, the two men asked the advice of German ignition specialist, Robert Bosch. They then developed a different electromagnetic system. Thus, the first Slavia motorcycle made its debut in 1899.

Business was good. In 1900, with a crew of 32 employees, 150 motorcycles were built and exported to London for the Hewston firm. Klement and Laurin's company was now established within Austria-Hungary and internationally.

The company first began building cars in 1905. Klement and Laurin's car factory was destroyed in 1924 after a fire. They had no choice but to seek a partner. They merged with Skoda Works of Czechoslovakia. Production was then under the Skoda name.

Skoda became the fourth brand of the German Volkswagen Group in 1991 and became a major player in the European car market. By 2005, Skoda was selling over 30,000 cars per year in the UK. Skoda owners in UK have ranked the brand at or near the top of customer satisfaction surveys throughout the 2000s. The brand is now known for quality, reliability and design is being sold in Australia.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

The Perfect High End Family Car Of Audi A3

The first generation model named A3 was launched in the European automobile market in 1966. It looked like a sporty car because of its three door hatch back body. The engine of this car was configured as Inline Four Cylinder. At the beginning of 1999, Audi launched two other models that consisted of better quality than the previous ones. One of them was 1.9 TDI Diesel Engine with variable Geometry Turbocharger and Unit Injector PD Technology. The other one was 1.8 with a power transmission of 177 bhp.

In the year 1999, for the first time Audi was forced to fulfill the demands according to market. For this reason, company made some quality and had to look out for other possibilities to make appropriate changes to its previous versions of cars. This new version included a variation of six speed manual gear-boxes with 177 bhp in 1.8L turbo engine and 129 bhp in 1.9 TDI.

Some of the other facilities incorporated in the A3 series include Brake Force Distribution Computer, Transaction Control and Electronic Stability Program. The marketing of Audi A3 was stopped in Europe at the beginning of 2003, but it continued it's selling in some of the developing countries.






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Insight to 2010 Audi A3

The 2010 Audi A3 will be a value addition to the strong lineup of Audi, which will retain the Typ 8PA 3.2L VR6 engine capable of churning out 247 hp of power. Initially the A3 was available only as a three door hatchback, but over time high performance versions of the A3 were rolled out.

Currently, the 2010 A3 incorporates the PQ35 platform Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), as well as 6-speed manual gearshift. It will be offered in front wheel drive and an optional all-wheel drive.

What's more, there are plenty of options in terms of features, styling and powertrain as the 2010 A3 will be offered with choice of Quattro on-demand four wheel drive, and S-Tronic semi-auto gearbox.

During the last two decades, Audi A3 has been a consistent performer, offering great reliability to its customers throughout the world.

Currently, the petrol engine will be offered in the European and Asian markets, while a diesel variant is expected to be available in UK and few other European countries; otherwise the standard gasoline version of the vehicle will be seen across the world.

The new A3 will have sufficient power for the usual needs, though definitely not too much for the speedsters and those who're crazy about extreme power and high speed maneuvering. What will be more interesting is the response that it receives from the customers in the higher segments.

Only time can tell whether the 2010 Audi A3 will be really able to live up to the expectations of its countless fans, or is it going to be another ordinary release from Audi this year that would fail to deliver just what the doctor ordered!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Toyota Goes To Extremes With RAV4 XT-R

Toyota RAV4, Europe's best-selling sport utility vehicle, goes to the extremes by introducing a variant called XT-R. Said RAV4 variant will be introduced on the first day of January next year.

Toyota RAV4 small 4x4 introduces a new trim level XT-R to boost extremes in an SUV. It is designed to perfect quality without being expensive. The new trim level is equipped with additional luxury items to boost the ergonomics and comfy feel that the vehicle offers.

RAV$ XT-R is offered with the 2.0-litre diesel and petrol engines, and in three- and five-door versions. RAV4 three-door XT-R with the 2.0-litre petrol engine is priced at £17,995. However, the XT-R equipped with stability and traction control, climate and cruise control, an electric sunroof and metallic paint will be valued up to £1500 on lower-spec cars. The diesel-powered version of the vehicle costs £1000 more compared to its petrol equivalent.

Toyota RAV4 accessories and equipment used in XT-R include dual-zone climate control, a cooled glovebox, electric sunroof, 6-disc CD autochanger, Toyota’s Integrated Active Drive system, Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), and electric heated and folding door Toyota mirrors.

RAV4 entertained a major redesign for the model year 2006. Toyota RAV4 parts accessories for said model were assembled using a new platform. The vehicle still uses the 2.4 L four-cylinder engine that is capable of generating 166 horsepower. In North America, RAV4 uses a 3.5 L V6 engine from Toyota Avalon Grande parts. Said engine produces 269 horsepower.

Compared to the previous generation of RAV4, the current version is equipped with a third row seat for two small children. This feature is available in the United States and Canada only. Options for the RAV4 include the two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive in the United States. However, in Canada and other countries, only the four-wheel version is available. In Asia and Europe, RAV4 is available in short-wheelbase while in Australia, the long- wheelbase version is offered.


2009 Toyota RAV4 Driving Impression

In four-wheel-drive trim, the 2009 Toyota RAV4 gets an impressive 26 mpg in the government's highway driving cycle. That's within reach of the 2016 mandate of 30 mpg for light trucks. But remember: that 30 mpg is an average that includes Land Cruisers, Tundras, Sequoias and more. The RAV4 will have to do a lot more than meet the 30 mpg mark, it'll have to far exceed it for the Toyota light truck fleet to make the required average. A test drive of the RAV4 V6 will confirm our suggestion.

From the driver's position, the RAV4 provides a very functionally designed instrument panel: Some makes are forcing function to follow form in this area. Also, the controls for the sound system are mounted high on the center console. This allows the driver to keep his peripheral vision on the road while turning the bass down from the "Advil needed" level set by his teenage son to one that won't kill nearby songbirds. One complaint: The clock was low, hidden by the shift lever. Since the clock is among the most-consulted instruments, this is a notable oversight. The interior materials of the RAV4 exceed almost all other compact SUV's for feel and appearance.

The second-row seats offer plenty of headroom: No need to remove that Stetson. However, the position of the seatback and feel of the seat cushion means few adults would gladly ride in the back for a long road trip. It's amazingly easy to lower the rear seatbacks to create a nearly perfectly flat cargo area. A single touch of a lever on the side of the left seat drops two-thirds of the seat to the flat position. Move around to the other side and repeat to get a completely flat floor. With the rear seats up, the Canadian-built RAV4 has adequate (but not generous) storage areas behind the seats. It boasts a pair of under-floor storage bins, great for placing items that always accompany the car (emergency kits and the like).

For those who don't read owner's manuals, the RAV4 has a confusing characteristic. While stopped, if you push the brake pedal past a certain point, the vehicle beeps and displays the stability control warning light. This seems like a malfunction until you discover the vehicle is trying to tell you the hill control function is engaged. This function prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards while the driver moves his foot from gas to brake. It also saves an ever so tiny bit of gas as the engine does not have to overcome the urge to roll backwards.

As with all Toyota and Lexus vehicles, the RAV4 comes standard with electronic stability control, a computer system that helps prevent the vehicle from spinning out or sliding straight off the road. It features six airbags, including a full-length side curtain bag. In government testing, the RAV4 received five stars (the highest rating) for driver frontal and side impacts and for rear passenger side impacts, but only four for front passenger impacts and rollover. The RAV4 earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) coveted Top Safety Pick Award.

The 2009 RAV4 is offered in three trim levels: base, the performance-oriented Sport and top-of-the-line Limited. Standard engine is a new-for-the-RAV4 2.5-liter, 179-horsepower four-cylinder. The four gets 22 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. The powertrain de resistance is the 3.5-liter, 269-hp V6. Front-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel-drive (what many would call all-wheel-drive) is optional. The RAV4 boasts very precise and confidence-inspiring steering feel. However, the combination of the RAV4's chassis and Yokohama tires produced an excessive amount of tire and road noise. Also, there was quite a bit of wind noise around the edges of the windshield.


Monday, February 8, 2010

2010 Honda Odyssey Review

The 2010 Honda Odyssey is the best upscale handling minivan around. The 2010 model is largely unchanged from the 2009 but has more advanced features and a significant styling difference. The Odyssey has had such an impact on buyers that it displaces the Dodge Grand Caravan as America's best selling Minivan and has high ratings from Kelly Blue Book and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Honda also decided to upgrade the Odyssey under the hood with cool new features. The car has a 3.5 Liter SOHC VTEC® V-6 engine with a 5 speed automatic transmission that produces 244horsepower. This engine is standard across the board, along with a Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system. However, exclusive to the EX-L and Touring versions, the car comes with Honda's Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®), which increases fuel economy.

The most impressive of the 2010 Odyssey is by far its Safety features. These key features include, Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control, an Anti-lock braking system, Electronic Brake Distribution, and driver's/front passenger's active head restraints. The car also has a plethora of airbag safety systems like, the dual-stage multiple-threshold front airbags, front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System, and three-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tested the cars frontal and side impact crash results and in conclusion gave the car 5-star frontal and side ratings.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Audi S4 the Safe Way to Drive

The search for a family vehicle that's safe for any family member to drive or ride in is here with the Audi S4. The Audi S4 brings you a step closer to having a truck being a Car. The 4WD is a very good aspect to the vehicle, which means you have better performance staying on the roads. The stability to the Audi S4 is remarkable allowing people to enjoy the right with safety. The Safety of your family is important and if you want to find out more information about the Audi S4 being safe you should look on some internet forums. The internet forum that's out today will help you with the questions you have for the Audi S4. This means you can ask how safe the vehicle is and how the fuel efficiency is. The gas consumption is important if you want to travel and take many camping trips.

The ultimate vehicle that can provide you with excellent power and driving stability is here with the Audi S4. The 4WD is the best thing about the Audi S4 and gives you the safety you need in the rain or snow. However, you won't find any other car that has 4WD. The Audi S4 is also one of the well know cars that is talked about on the Internet. To find discussion about recent Audi S4 post you should check out the Forums that are located online. When you decide to find an updated forum that can give you the best answers to your question you should check the most popular forums. When you find forums that relate to the Audi S4 then you know that's the forum to use or leave a question. The question will be answered within the few days depending on the popularity of the forum. If you want to find a forum that's top rated pick the first one that's listed in the search engine. If that's the forum you tried and still no answer then you should search for another. The search for an Audi forum won't be hard if you use the proper Search engines like Yahoo and Google.


Newly Anticipated Model In 2010 Grand Sport Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most celebrated classic cars of our time. Manufactured by General Motors, the Corvette has been around for six generations making its debut back in 1953. Obviously, living up to its name is hard to do so GM has continued to come up with newer and cooler concepts year after year.

The Grand Sport Corvette for 2010 has been highly anticipated since the release of the Corvette C6 ZR1 in 2009. This model was developed with a higher production level and it was internally called the "Blue Devil," which is a nickname of GM CEO Rick Wagoner's alma mater at Duke University. It was officially debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. This car was heavier than the previous models, included an improved motor, and came with increased tires and stronger carbon ceramic brakes.

It will also have functional brake ducts and enable extra cooling. The wheels will be increased in diameter and width, measuring 18-inches in the front with 19-inch wheels. The 2010 Corvette wheels will come with a standard paint job but one can also request for a chrome finish.

The Grand Sport of 2010 will come equipped with a customized Z06 brake system. This includes 14-inch (355 mm) front rotors with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch (340 mm) rear rotors with four-piston calipers. The new Vette will also have specific manual transmission gear ratios for the ultimate riding abilities. It will also include a specific rear axle ration on automatic-equipped models.

The 2010 Corvette Grand Sport will be available in all factory colors. The fenders will look cooler than ever with the Traditional Grand Sport hash mark painted on and all the vents will come with Grand Sport badging. The GS ZR1 will have the revived dry-sump oil system and will be available in manual transmission only.

Ultimately, the 2009 and the 2010 Corvette officially leaves behind the GT1 class. It was originally manufactured with a mere $60,000 but now, with these cooler features in vision, it will cost GM a whopping $100,000 with each Vette. Because of the higher production cost this 2010 Grand Sport Corvette concept will not make its debut until 2012.

Honda CR-Z Hybrid Sports Car Coming in Fall 2010

The Toyota Prius is such an iconic car that many people believe Toyota was the first company to come out with production hybrids. It was not. Honda was the first, but miscalculated the market and missed out on a huge opportunity. The announcement that the company will be introducing a hybrid sports car, the CR-Z, to the US market in the fall of 2010 is an effort to right that wrong.

The CR-Z is nothing less than a full frontal assault on the hybrid market in the United States. The car is a two-seater that is rumored to incorporate an integrated motor assist system that incorporates a 1.3 liter engine. The CR-Z, which stands for Compact Renaissance Zero, gets its sportiness from both the design and the fact that it is expected to be very light weight.

The initial prototype of the vehicle was shown at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show. It incorporates a longer nose with sleek, banked styling that runs to a higher end, flat rear. If I had to compare it to any other car, it looks like a revved up Honda Insight although with very distinct lines. You can look up images online from the show to see it.

The real beauty of the CR-Z is found in an area that is rarely available in a new, revolutionary sporty car. Yes, I am talking about the price. All indications are Honda is trying to bring this car in to wipe up the market. The proposed retail price is a paltry $20,000. This is the equivalent of a Prius, but with much better lines and performance. Well, at least we think better performance. Honda has released no information on just how sporty the performance will be. Still, one has to imagine it will be better than your average hybrid.


Wednesday, February 3, 2010

BMW Alpina D3

BMW Alpina D3 fills the niche in between the 320d and 325d, meanwhile Alpina acquires a wider audience for their products. It is equipped with four diesel engines and a range of sporting accessories, while maintaining top-fuel economy figures.

BMW Alpina D3 is equipped with diesel engine, which is taken from the BMW 320d. Alpina engineers installed a larger turbine, more productive injector nozzle, sport exhaust system and changed electronic engine management. Consequently, the engine develops 200 horsepower and 410 Nm maximum torque at 2000 rpm.

Stock BMW Alpina D3 obtains the original design aerodynamic body kit with Alpina recognition marks, 18-inch wheel-drives (for an extra charge - 19-inch), a dual exhaust system, sports seats and steering wheel.

0-60 it does in 7.4 seconds and the maximum speed reaches 148 miles per hour. However, disconnecting the electronic stability system - both the draft and the exchange rate stabilization - BMW Alpina D3 disappoints. It is not possible to drift or make a burnout with it. Of course, it is frivolous but it should be possible. BMW Alpina D3 will be suitable for someone who wants a car with sporting equipment and the origin, but at the same time wants to drive it everyday and not to think about lap times on the race track. But the best thing about it is that BMW Alpina D3 makes 40 miles per gallon, so with one tank it is able to go up to 621 miles.






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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Retrospective Look Of Mazda RX-7 Series

The RX7 model from the house of Mazda was introduced for the first time during the year 1978 and the production of the vehicle was stopped in the year 2002 after a massive production of about 811,634 units in total. The Mazda RX7 falls under the category of midsize sports cars. The vehicle was released as a predecessor to the Mazda RX3.

The base model of the RX7 features the twin rotor 1146cc Wankel rotary engine with front mid ship, providing the rear wheel drive. The base model RX7 was a sports coupe model built with the lightweight body style and compact rotary engine or the Wankel engine mounted behind the front axle.

The vehicle was offered as a two seat coupe in the states of America with optional rear seats in the countries of Australia, Japan and in the other countries of the world. The Mazda RX7 was in a list of ten best lists conducted by the Car and Driver magazine for five times.

The last model produced in the RX7 series was offered in three types of engines - the 1.3 liter 13B REW that produced 188 kilo watts of power, 1.3 liter 13B REW that produced 206 kilo watts of power and the 1.3 liter 13B REW that produced 195 kilo watts of power. The sports variant of RX7 was offered in both the 4-speed automatic and in the 5-speed manual transmissions.

The current generation RX7 models are offered in three different types - R model, the touring and the base model in the North American market. The touring model comes with the leather seats, Bose Acoustic Wave system and sunroof.

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