Archive for September, 2010

September-27-10

Telematics Says BMW Leader In High-Tech Features

Posted by admin under New BMW News

The Telematics Research Group (TRG), through its Automotive Technology Index, had recently announced to the whole automotive public that it is the BMW brand that is still topping lists on having the best high technology features in all of their vehicles. This is according to a study that the group has conducted for all vehicle brands that are offered in the United States and the rest of North America.

The Automotive Technology Index, that was created and done by the Telematics Research Group, has been done through actions like measuring the availability of key telematics. It also included other criteria like driver assistance as well as infotainment technologies. They did check all there criteria on various brands line up of vehicles that are offered to the market. And the conclusion came out that BMW took the top score, hence claiming the spot as the leader in the aspect of high technology features in vehicles.

Phil Magney is the principal analyst for the group who conducted the study. He comments, BMW has been a technology leader for many years, as it is part of the brands positioning. And this has been proven by the brand through the various that it has been sending to the automobile market.

A whole package of features. This is what BMW has been offering the market for each of their vehicles. The list of high technology features includes the integrated navigations systems with iDrive and Voice Command, the BMW Night Vision, Adaptive Cruise Control, Head Up Display, as well as Park Distance Control. For entertainment, high technology is certainly reflected in the Sirius Satellite Radio, HD Radio, rear seat entertainment, and iPod integration. There also is the BMW Assist system and services. You can also call without using your hands through the Bluetooth hands free calling with speed recognition which is part of the BMW Assist system.

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September-26-10

Sports Car Industry in the Year 2006

Posted by admin under Sports Cars

In the past years, various sports cars have been available to car buyers. They come in different price ranges and some may even be bought for $20, 000. Sports cars really contributed to the car industry during the past year.

For 2006, it is expected that the sports car industry will continue to expand and will become stronger. Sports cars have been the choice of many car buyers because of their appearance, safety features and the high technology gadgets and accessories that come with them.

Here are some new models of sports cars that will continue to be best-sellers in 2006:

1.Mazda MX-5 Miata- The Miata has been one of the best-sellers when it comes to roadsters. Mazda has been making the right choices of cars since the 1990s and is doing the same this year. The Mazda MX-5 Miata has great features that many customers look for. It has 170 hp and is larger than the usual sizes for comparable Miata models.
2.Chevrolet Corvette Z06- This car is known to be very fast and it only costs $65,000. This is one of the limited editions that were released by Chevrolet. The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is hand-built and was developed and improved together with the C6R Corvette race car by Le Mans.
3.Pontiac Solstice- This sports car went on sale in the middle of 2005 and it continues to be one of the hottest cars in 2006. It has very attractive features and has a sophisticated appearance.
4.Porsche Cayman- This model of Porsche is best when it comes to value and even in performance. It may not be as big as other sports cars but it will be a giant in the drivers eyes. It may be cheaper but the performance it will provide is considered one of the best among all sports cars.

Although sports cars are sold everywhere at reasonable prices, it is still best that car buyers shop around and find the best car that will suit their wants and needs. It is recommended that buyers compare prices and check all of the cars features to assure satisfaction that the needs of the user are met.

It is also recommended that car buyers consider the rate of insurance based on the car that they will buy. Sports cars have much higher insurance premiums depending on the make and model. Determine if you are willing to pay the added premium for a sports car.

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September-25-10

Porsche and Formula One

Posted by admin under New Porsche News

When Porsche entered into races, Porsche astonished the world
with its performances. But participation in Formula One races
brought mixed results. In the 1961-1962 season, Porsche participated
as a constructor but produced just one win in a championship
race, claimed by Dan Gurney at the 1962 French Grand Prix.
In a non-championship race, one week later Stuttgart’s Solitude
it repeated the success. At the end of the season, Porsche retired
from F1 due to the high costs.

In 1983, Porsche returned to Formula One, supplying engines
badged as TAG units for the McLaren Team. It was a success
as the Porsche-powered cars won two constructor championships
in 1984 and 1985 and three driver crowns in 1984, 1985 and 1986.

Less than ten years later, in 1991, Porsche returned as a engine
supplier, but this time the results were disastrous: Footwork, the
Porsche-powered cars, didnt score a single point and at over half
of the races it even failed to qualify. Since that year, Porsche has
not participated to Formula One.

Still, lightly-modified Porsches participate in many competitions
around the world, mostly in amateur classes for enthusiasts. The
only professional category is the Porsche Michelin Supercup raced
as a support category for European Formula One rounds.

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September-20-10

Ford Aspire: More Than Just As Aspiration

Posted by admin under New Ford News

From 1994 up until the year 1997, the Ford Motor Company sold the Ford Aspire. This was a subcompact car that has been made available with two options as per the number of doors. One held three doors while the other one held five doors. The entire body of the Ford Aspire was crafted by the Kia Motors company with headquarters in South Korea. The engine as well as the engine components was from the Mazda automobile corporation located in Japan. It is very interesting to note that this vehicle has been sold and marketed as the Kia Avella in Asia. However, if you travel to Japan and Australasia, you would be surprised to find out that the Ford Aspire is known there as the Ford Festiva. It is just one vehicle however it has been sold under different names.

The average fuel economy for the Ford Aspire is some 30 miles per gallon which is quite a different number from what the manual says. The manual claims that it can take up to 45 miles per galloon. Aside from that interesting fact, the Ford Aspire is also very much favored for parallel parking. Also known for their resistance to submit to mechanical breakdown, these Ford Aspires have been known to have the capacity to run in excess of some 200,000 miles without having to undergo major repairs.

Upon its introduction in 1994, the Ford Aspire held a five speed manual transmission as well as an automatic transmission. This vehicle is a front drive car. It generally comes with a 63 horsepower engine with four cylinders. For the two-door model, the Ford Aspire sports fog lights, a rear spoiler as well as different types of seats made available. As per the Ford Aspire that sports four doors, it holds a power rack and pinion steering. Through the years, many changes have been done to the Ford Aspire. The list includes the removal of the front spoilers, and adding in of body-colored window moldings, rear spoilers, fog lamps, tachometer, a unique instrument cluster, special seat fabrics, special door trim fabrics, and center roof pillars. There also are changes like new front bumpers, new rear bumpers, headlamps, turn signals, tail lamps, and wheel covers. Its design has been proven to work well in allowing a fairly large amount of cargo. If the rear seats are folded, the cargo is expanded greatly.

Ford Parts and Ford Auto Parts manufactures and sells performance parts and accessories for Ford vehicles. Ford Parts and Ford Auto Parts strives to be the ultimate source for auto parts and accessories for the Ford Aspire as well as for Ford vehicles. The stores product line up for the Ford Aspire accessories, body parts, brakes, climate control, clutch parts, electrical parts, transmission parts, mechanical parts, service tools, and a variety of other upgrades and parts that compliment the vehicle. Ford Parts and Ford Auto Parts extensive array of maximum quality Ford parts are available at great wholesale deals.

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September-18-10

Sports Car Hire

Posted by admin under Sports Cars

Most people would rather drive than walk. In fact, the national statistics report that most people can only walk 2,000 – 6,000 steps on the average. That is why whenever they are on traveling, on vacation, or just killing time, they will hire a car instead of walking to enjoy the scenery.

For many those who want to enjoy their vacation in a very sporty manner, they will rent a sports car rather than a common car.

Many travelers and/or vacationers tend to be in a hurry to get to their destination, visit as many places, enjoy the scenery, etc., and want to do it in style so they tend to prefer to rent/hire a sports car. After all, who can resist the fact that the average speed of a typical sports car is 120 miles per hour and that can avoid many hours of travel and limit the extra overnight stops?

Sports car rental companies are usually privately owned car rental businesses. Their main focus is to provide business and leisure users unforgettable based on incomparable service.

Most of these businesses in the car industry can provide the travelers with affordable and reasonable rates. However, it would still be advisable to know the different tactics to use when renting a sports car so that you can save money and avoid some common troubles.

Here is how:

1. Have definite plans before renting

It is important for a person who wants to rent a sports car to know all of the details before hiring. They should know how long they will be needing the car.

Sports cars are generally rented by the week, however, some car rental companies may give better rates if the sports car is rented for more than longer periods of time.

2. Know the money details

Renting a sports car can be expensive. It is necessary for anyone who wishes to hire a sports car to know and understand the applicable fees and charges. Ask about available discounts they may be available but not advertised. Saving money is always a plus!

3. Be wary of the advertised sports car rental rates

Most of these advertised rates are arbitrary and should be questioned. Local and state taxes, insurance, etc., can be additional fees. Be certain that the rental agreement is a written one.

It is really important to know all of the details before renting/hiring a sports car. If done the wrong way, it may be more costly than purchasing one.

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September-16-10

2006 Ford Focus: Never Better!

Posted by admin under New Ford News

Back in 2000, the year that the Ford Focus was introduced, Ford Motor Company was hoping that the model would be well received and exceed the sales totals of its previous small car, the Escort. Unfortunately, the new Focus was plagued by various minor quality problems and the car soon became the joke of the industry. Step forward to 2006, and the current Focus is vastly improved on earlier models. Lets explore what is helping the Focus become a proven challenger in the crowded small vehicle sector:

1. Aggressive Price. Yes, the number of cars available under US$15,000 continues to drop each year. However, the Focus takes it one step further as it retails just below $14,000. Comparably equipped Chevys, Kias and Hyundais sell for nearly the same amount, so the consumer has a good choice when buying the Ford Focus.

2. Sufficient Power. The 2.0L I4 engine paired to a five speed manual transmission gives the car enough power to get it moving and keep it moving at a nice clip on the freeway. Competing models offer smaller engines as small as 1.6L as found in the Kia Rio.

3. Spacious Interior. Up to five people can be carried in the Focus and the interior room is large for a car in its segment. Most small cars are intolerable for big rear seating passengers, but not so for the Focus. Compare the Focus seating to the Cobalt and the Focus is the clear winner.

4. An Assortment of Body Styles. Most cars built today come in only one or two body styles, however the Focus features four: a three-door ZX3 hatchback, a five-door ZX5 hatchback, a ZX4 sedan and the ZXW wagon. It is the ZX3 that retails for as low as US$13,990.

5. Respectable Fuel Economy. With EPA figures of 26 city / 34 highway, the Focus achieves a fuel mileage level that few small cars can boast of.

Competition in the small car group remains tight with the Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cobalt, Hyundai Elantra, and Saturn ION all competitively priced. The Corolla remains the favorite amongst industry specialists, but the Focus has certainly shed its low quality status with the current model. Check out special financing deals through Ford Credit to save even more money on your Focus.

In conclusion, the Focus has improved with age, but it is in need of updating now that it is in its seventh model year. With Ford fortunes sagging, the company cannot afford additional dips in sales.

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September-12-10

Ford: Restoring Prestige and Honor

Posted by admin under New Ford News

The Ford Motor Company, along with rival General Motors, has been going through a time of severe testing due to concerns about product quality and relevancy, profits, and long term viability. The net result is that Ford is planning on closing numerous plants and will lay off as many as 30,000 employees, a historic cutback that may only be the tip of the iceberg. Is Ford finished or will the company be able to regain strength and compete successfully in the years ahead?

Ford has certainly taken its lumps and for good reason. Profits in the North American market are nonexistent with losses actually in the multibillion dollar range. Despite the red ink, all is not lost for the blue oval as the company remains very profitable overseas. In addition, its three U.S. divisions have much to offer if some serious changes are incorporated. Here are my suggestions for change:

Ford — The strongest division for the automaker is the one that bears its name. Fords strength is in its line of pick up trucks and SUVs. Select car models including the Mustang and Fusion are also strong sellers. Fords weakness can be found with its small car line, the Focus, and with dated models including the Crown Victoria. Better for Ford to scrap their small car lines altogether and import cars from Mexico or overseas. In addition, the company should concentrate on overhauling the Crown Victoria and introducing an all new Ranger compact pick up truck. Finally, Ford is getting out of the minivan business as crossover vehicles, such as the all new Edge, will replace that category. This latter retreat is wise as the category is saturated and the expense of developing a successful new minivan can be diverted to concentrate on shoring up other product lines.

Mercury — Many have been predicting that Ford would scrap its Mercury division altogether. However, among the many management decisions announced recently indicate that Mercury will stay. Together with Lincoln, the two brands are weak and are in need of much assistance. Mercury cars for decades have been nothing more than reworked Ford models therefore its brand identity has been diluted. It is time for Ford to help Mercury come up with a clearer personality and a line of vehicles that are inspiring, not boring. A good start would be to develop a car all Mercurys own, such as a retro Cougar coupe.

Lincoln — There was a day when Lincoln and Cadillac battled for preeminence for sales leadership in the American luxury car category. Lincoln long ago ceded the fight to Cadillac, a GM division with new and exciting products. Currently, Cadillac outsells Lincoln by more than 2 to 1 and does battle with the likes of Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes. For Lincoln, a new Town Car is needed plus a decision must be made regarding just how much the division should rely on trucks and SUVs to identify the brand. Currently, Lincoln line up includes more truck models than cars. Reviving a historic model, such as the Continental, could be a smart choice and putting some money into the LS is another. Curiously, the make is changing the name of its newest model, the Zephyr, to the MKZ after only one model year.

Ford is floundering and it is particularly noticeable in two divisions, Mercury and Lincoln. Its Mazda connection, which has yielded several models including the Escape and Fusion, has been a success. Tapping its Volvo association to help with larger cars and with engineering would be wise and Ford should work closer with its Jaguar division to produce additional vehicle lines. The current LS, derived from the Jaguar S Type is an example of an earlier collaboration that wasnt utilized to its fullest extent.

All hope isnt lost for Ford, but the companys image has been tarnished. The seed of greatness remains, but the company must act quickly in order to regain consumer confidence and stop the ever deepening erosion of its sales base to foreign makes.

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September-10-10

Cars: The Used And The New Are Beautiful

Posted by admin under New Cars

Whether buying used or new cars, both options have advantages and disadvantages that the car buyer alone would be the best person to be knowledgeable about as he or she would know what would work well as according to his/her needs, wants, preference, budget and whim.

The following are basic factors to consider in buying a used or a new car:

The price.

Those on a stringent budget would find used cars a good deal. Though there are a handful of new cars that sell for less than ten thousand dollars, the ones that cost less usually have only a few amenities, with some having none of the following: air-conditioning, stereo. Sometimes the cars come with only two doors or one of the power windows is broken, if there are power windows at all. On the other hand, the availability of three to four-year old used cars loaded with more than the bare-boned features of a basic used car such as a CD player, air conditioning, airbags gives the used car buyer a great deal.

But still, the pricey new cars are costly because of the updated safety features they carry: de-powered airbags as well as smart front and side protection airbags. New vehicles also carry whimsical features such as: beverage holders that keep drinks cool or hot.

The choice depends on you, your priorities and your purchasing power.

The warranty.

New vehicles usually are under warranty for a minimum of three years to a maximum of ten. Hyundai and Kia provide ten year warranty for their vehicles. DaimlerChrysler offers a seven year warranty for their Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models. So does Isuzu.

Some eligible late-model used cars could complete their original warranty and could just as well be extended if they are protected by the vehicle certification program. If not, used car owners could shell out a few hundred to be able to extend their service warranty or contract.

The mileage.

Newly-bought used cars come with mileage already spent. New vehicles basically do not need maintenance for the first thousands of miles, and if they do, car manufacturers cover the oil change and their tune-up as well as other fundamental maintenance services.

Specially made cars

Used car buyers usually have to content themselves with as-is vehicles whose color may not be that perfect shade of red, green or blue. Buyers of new cars however, have the option of a varied range of colors or car features that used cars have not. Car dealers usually cater to the tastes and impulse of a car buyer and usually would even satisfy a customer by specially-ordering a vehicle.

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September-8-10

BMW X3

Posted by admin under New BMW News

Ive wanted to write something about BMW X3 especially when I read in some newspapers that X3 is the best sell in Europe. It is a little bit strange rough estimate, with a price almost the same like X5 and with a roguish attitude, but X3 was transformed in a big success.

Most of BMW engines are amazing and Europeans are going nuts when they hear about BMW, much more when the suspension remind us of a limousine. Practically, if we take a good look at the price, we will be able to observe that the only strong and real rival for X3 it is X5. But X3 is more a tall break car than that small SUV on which all buyers are dreaming.

And the fact that the car was receiving a facelift, before the new X5 will be launched is another proof of how much the German constructor care about this car! I dont say that the facelift is very spectaculars, the car only gets to be more aggressive.

The interior is beautiful: the edge, interesting steering wheel, everything let you know that you are in a BMW!

If you want to buy this top car you have to know many other things that under the 3.0 SD capote you will see the newest diesel propeller from BMW. I really think that this engine is something that you cant disagree and it deserves all the credits! And we have to recognize that the constructor worked very hard to obtain this beauty!

X3 3.0 SD gets from 0 to 62 mph in 6.6 seconds and has a top speed of 240 km/h. And that because the engine develops 286 hp and a maximum torque of 580 Nm starting from 1,750 rpm. What is more interesting its that the Variable Twin Turbo technology and this stage supercharging (everybody is talking about it) permit that the torque gets to 4,400 rpm without harming the car.
I dont know what do you think, but I surely believe in this car and in its capabilities and performances!

This article was published using Article Submitter

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September-6-10

Porsche – a brief history

Posted by admin under New Porsche News

Ferdinand Porsche played an important role in the development
of airplanes and racing cars, and the construction of tanks for
the Wehrmacht. He is an automobile engineer with more than
a thousand patents to his name. He was appointed chief engineer
at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart in the 1920s. Later on, he set
up his own engineering workshop and designed among others
the Volkswagen. At the plant where Volkswagen was made,
Wolfsburg, he was chief of operations and at the end of the war
he was interned by the Allies.

He was released a few years later and started building his first car
with his son, Ferry Porsche. The car was named the Porsche 356
and it was a sports car and a reminiscent of the Volkswagen.
It had the same four-cylinder boxer engine that was rear-mounted,
just like the VW. It was far from being a powerful sports car,
developing only 40 bhp and a maximum speed of 87 mph (140 km/h).
First produced as a convertible and later as a hard top it distinguished
by the very elegant and innovative body. It was developed in the
workshop of Erwin Komenda, a master of restrained streamlining
who had been in charge of sheet metal and design techniques at
Porsche since the VW Beetle. The new style of closed coupe was
designed by Komenda and it soon became the embodiment of the
sports car, thanks to its fastback.

This tradition was continued by Komenda and Ferdinand Butzi
Porsche, the founders grandson, with the 911.

The 911 became easily recognizable: it had attractive sloping
bonnet and what later became characteristic frog eye headlights,
curves running from the top edge of the windscreen to the rear bumper
and a straight waistline. From a functional and technical point of
view it was more like BMW 1500, although it retained the stylistic
features of the original Porsche. The new 911 will become the
foundation stone of Porsches identity, even though the design
was not always appreciated. During the 1970`s and 1980`s, the
designers attempts to distance Porsche from its legendary design brought
the company to the edge of disaster. The more modern 924 model,
a peoples Porsche, developed with Volkswagen, as well as the
928 were far from fulfilling the expectations.

In the 1990`s, the company realized that what for over twenty years
was perceived as a straitjacket, it was in fact a market
advantage. During the 1990`s, Porsche became highly
profitable since they now knew that the typical Porsche features
were timeless. Nearly forty people now worked in the design
department on further developments of the long-running 911.
These developments included the 911 GTI, a powerful combination
of sports and racing car, put forward by the in-house designer
Anthony R. Hatter. In 1999, chief designer proudly presented the
new Boxster which enabled Porshe to establish a second
independent range of models.

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