Showing posts with label Car Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Car Review. Show all posts

Saturday

2009 VW TDI Upgrades – Advanced Flow Engineering

The 2009 VW TDI Performance Upgrades are finally here! If you’ve been waiting patiently for the chance to modify your 2009 TDI, your wait is over.

True Volkswagen TDI enthusiasts have something to cheer about as new Performance and Upgrade product releases are here for the 2009 VW JETTA 2.0L TDI Sedan and Wagon. After Volkswagen’s decision not to manufacture 2007 and 2008 VW TDI’S, many TDI enthusiasts have pounced on the chance to buy a factory fresh 2009 TDI Jetta. With no TDI vehicles coming off the VW assembly line for a few years, manufacturers of VW TDI upgrades had to turn their attention to other product lines. Now, however, with the popularity of Volkswagen’s new 2009 TDI Jetta’s, upgrade and modification companies have taken note and are again giving car owners the types of Performance products they crave – products that until only recently had been reserved for older model VW TDI’S.

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Performance Cold Air Intake Systems and Rapid Power Module’s, or “Chips” as they are often called, are two of the easiest, least expensive, and most effective upgrades you can make to your 2009 TDI Jetta. Diesel engines want cold air to breathe and properly atomized fuel to burn, and an upgraded intake and module will give your TDI just what it needs. If you are interested in maximizing the full potential of your VW TDI, read on.

To give your Turbo Diesel more cold air, a high-quality choice comes from Advanced Flow Engineering, or AFE Power as they are commonly known. AFE has recently released a Performance Air Intake System for the 2009 Jetta TDI 2.0L with an impressive list of benefits and performance data. The system is 100% bolt-on, mounts to the lower airbox housing, and no drilling or cutting is required. After a simple 15-30 minute installation, you can expect air flow to increase 56% over stock. Horsepower gains average +10 at 3150 RPM, and expect Torque to increase by 23 lbs. at 3050 RPM. The system comes with a high efficiency, low restriction air filter in your choice of either a Pro Dry S or a Pro 5R. Most people choose the Pro Dry S for ease of use with filter cleaning being a simple wash and air dry.

Performance modules improve TDI fuel economy and provide extra horsepower at the same time by improving the efficiency of the vehicle fuel injection system. Performance market manufacturer and TDI stalwart Bully Dog now markets a “Rapid Power Performance Module” for the 2009 VW TDI Jetta which effectively improves fuel economy and horsepower. This module is a simple inline, between wiring harness, plug-in chip designed for safe and long lasting use. It is adjustable on-the-fly, allowing you to choose between three power levels; Stock, +10% and +15% horsepower via a simple toggle switch that can be left in the engine bay or installed within the interior of the vehicle for easy access. The total horsepower increase from this module on the highest setting according to Bully Dog’s Dyno testing is +25HP and a torque increase of 30 ft-lbs. If you can keep your foot of the gas pedal you should even see some impressive fuel economy gains on a car that already gets remarkable mileage.

Combine the Performance Cold Air Intake System with the Rapid Power Module and you’ll see tremendous gains in horsepower, torque and economy; perhaps most importantly, though, will be the increased fun you’ll have driving your modified 2009 VW Jetta TDI!

Review Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano – Formula 1-style Buttons

As far as cars go, a Ferrari is near the top of the list for most guys. The glamorous ideal portrayed by Ferrari is something many men dream of. For some, owning a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano makes it seem possible to live a jet set life surrounded by admiring girlfriends and competent mechanics.

The car was named for its total engine displacement of 5999cc, Gran Turismo Berlinetta nature (GTB) and the Fiorano circuit test track on which Ferrari tests its cars. The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is a gran turismo (grand tour), or a high-performance luxury model designed for long distance driving. It is considered Ferrari’s most powerful V12-engine car of all time. The car contains a 6L engine that is directly derived from the Enzo supercar that produces 620HP at 7600rpm and 446 pound-feet torque at 5600rpm. Its engineering and design combine to provide comfort, speed and style over long distances.

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A car reviewer who once drove a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano was thrilled, to say the least, by the power under the hood and the sheer majesty with which it handled wide curves. Singing praises of its “brooding good looks”, it seemed he completely forgave its inefficient windshield wipers and what he considered to be needlessly advanced, Formula 1-style buttons on the steering wheel.

The beauty on the exterior of the Ferrari is also on display in the interior of the car. The Fiorano utilizes the most updated carbon fiber and aluminum technology and combines them with traditional materials like leather to produce a high performance sports car that provides a comfortable ride. Personalization is also available over a wide range of options, the least of which are the interior and exterior of the car.

If you have the cash to flash, then you can’t possibly go wrong with a curvaceous Ferrari in signature red, especially a gran turismo like this one.

Audi adds 2.0 liter Entry to Audi Euro Q5 and A4 Allroad

Q5 crossover and A4 allroad model lines has added with the pair of Adds 2.0 entry engine. The 2.0-liter diesel four cylinder produced 143 hp, and now Both vehicles are now available with this engine. This common rail injected unit is the same engine offered in many other Volkswagen group models like the Jetta, Golf and standard A4. The all wheel drive diesel powered CUV gets a combined rating of 36.2 mpg (U.S.) on the EU test cycle. The Outback-like A4 allroad gets a 37.9 mpg (U.S.) rating on the cycle. Both vehicles are paired up with 6-speed manual gearboxes.

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The Q5 also gets a second, new gasoline-powered option with a 180 hp variant of the 2.0-liter TFSI turbocharged and direct injected four. In the Q5, this gas engine gets a rating of 28 mpg (U.S.) on the combined European cycle. Audi has not announced any plans to offer the A4 allroad in North America and the Q5 is currently only available here with a 3.2-liter gas V6.

Review Ford Fiesta 2009 – Small & Compact

The car of the year for 2009 is the Ford Fiesta. A lot of people were surprised by that, since there are so many other cars available and some of them are very high quality. However, the Ford Fiesta is a low cost car that has a lot to offer, and it gets good gas mileage. That makes it a popular choice for all kinds of people from all walks of life – especially people who have to commute and who don’t want to take public transportation.

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The Ford Fiesta is a great way to do that because it’s so small and compact, which makes it easily manoeuvrable. It also doesn’t cost a lot to own or operate, so people on a budget can get what they need for transportation and still afford their rent or mortgage.

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Customer will likely opt for one of the two diesel powertrains which is the 1.4-liter Duratorq TDCi with two valves per cylinder providing 68 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque or the larger 1.6-liter unit with four-valve cylinder heads producing 90 hp and 150 lb-ft. Ours was equipped with the latter and provided smooth power delivery along our journey. But while the diesel power proved perfectly adequate, we were looking forward to sampling the gasoline-burning Sport model.

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Ford Fiest with two turbodiesels, Ford is offering three Duratec four-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter unit with 60 horsepower and 80 lb-ft of torque, a 1.4-liter version with 96 hp and 94 lb-ft, and the range-topping 1.6-liter Ti-VCT engine corralling a more substantial 120 horses and twisting out 112 lb-ft of torque. As with the diesel power options, each can be mated to a four-speed automatic or 5-speed manual, the latter of which we found had a positive gearchange and well-optimized clutch.

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Not everyone will love the Fiesta because some people simply want bigger, flashier, more expensive cars, but for those who need good quality transportation at a great price, it’s very hard to beat the Ford Fiesta.

Now that the Fiesta has been named the car of the year, it’s quite likely that Ford will see a boost in sales of that vehicle, further contributing to its market share, profits, and desirability in the UK car market today.

Toyota – Leading to Number One Position

In the last few months, it had been in the news report that some of the world’s largest automakers are facing the declining period. General Motors is one of them and on the other hand Toyota is getting extreme primacy in the market. It is the belief of some of the experts that by the end of this year, Toyota will lead the General Motors is number of sales but there are some who are expressing a caution in regard of this assessment. So the question still remained unanswered, whether Toyota will rule the auto-market or General Motors will be able to maintain its positions and authority.

Another new technology which is engraved by Toyota is the Hybrid Synergy Drive which always keep the engine in the first gear if the speed of the car changes. The best thing about Toyota is that all the car models are based on perfect reviews and test drives and then only launched in market. This results in fine acceleration about the models particularly in heavy traffics.

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Neck to neck competition between Toyota and General Motors: -

The main thing that matters in this world which tells about the number one position of the company is the prestige. If a company is holding the top place, then it means that consumers will be attracted by the reputation of the company and all the company is laying at the top of the game. So when experts talk about Toyota then it was revealed that they are working very hard to reach the heights of success. So, if one is trying is so hard then why must devoid the first rank.

Enhancing features and technologies of Toyota: -

Another reason for the popularity of the Toyota is the company had already moved to the hybrid technology which is proving to be much superior to the average model cars. It had been noted that the cars which are running on the hybrid technology from Toyota are able to produce an average of 40 MPG gas mileage and this average moves to 38 MPG on highways.

The engine in the present Toyota models is 4-cylinder engine which is mainly using gasoline as the main fuel. Besides this, the maximum capacity is 30 KW on 245V battery or 40 horsepower. Maximum power can peaks up to 192 or 140 kilowatts. Besides the capacity of the gasoline engine can be 2.4 liters. On the other hand the electric motor is of 45 horsepower. Another good thing about the latest engine technology in the Toyota car models is that engine can maintain the power band efficiently and this can be done with the help of CVT which constantly transfer front wheels.

Tuesday

Review Classic Jaguar XKE – Innovative & Graceful Styling

There were a whole host of different and varied sports cars and even motorcycles that arrived in the US after World War II. To this day their very names elucidate a passion among enthusiasts – be it Triumph, MG, Austin-Cooper, Lotus, Austin-Healey, Mini-Cooper or in the world of British motorcycles –BSA, Norton, Greeves and Triumph bikes. However in the eyes of many sports cars the original Jaguar roadster was “it”.

It can be said and noted that the Jaguar Automotive Company had over time and previous to the War (World War II 1939-1945), had built sports roadsters previously. Indeed Jaguar had carved out a name and reputation with these products especially the Jaguar Roadster SS-100. However things being what they were economically after the war , with the home market for such premium vehicles being very small indeed if not non existent , the export market especially to the United States – the USA as well as the smaller but emerging automotive sports market of Canada.

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To this purpose both Jaguar’s engineering staff – with the chief engineer at the helm as well as innovative indeed daring new styling , with one of Jaguar’s co-founders being in charge of the styling end.

What resulted was an impressive engine which developed peak power at a then relatively high 5,000 r.p.m. cycle (revolutions per minute). In addition a feature which was at that point in time only found on a limited number of high end racing cars and certainly not production vehicles. This mechanical feature of great merit and power to auto engine performance – was the introduction of double overhead camshafts. The specs of the post war Jaguar engine itself was a ¾ liter inline six, with a massive crankshaft, 7 main bearings powering along with a very long engine stroke. At 5200 r.p.m. the engine put out a full 160 nimble yet graceful horsepower.

Although this double overhead cam setup for the engine initially was intended not for the Jaguar Roadster, but the run of the mill production Jaguar Sedan, it was installed without complaint in the Roadster. The interesting quirk of fate that it was only supposed to a temporary stopgap measure while another engine was in the process and testing – or at least in the planning stages for the Jaguar Roadster. Market and customer approval, especially in the valued export market was so grand that this setup, with the dual cams, stayed on as the standard production model for the Roadster. The Jaguar Sedan with the same engine eventually was released in the year of 1951 as the Jaguar Mark VII model line whereas the Roadster Model – The Jaguar XK120 was introduced earlier in 1948.

The Jaguar XKE 120 became an instant hit – both for its innovative and graceful styling, as well its speed, acceleration and agility. It can be said that the Jaguar XKE120 came to symbolize its name – that of a sleek, fast feline and hunter. Speeds were up to 120 miles per hour, with a then modest price of approximately $ 2,500 US dollars.

To this day of all the post war British sports car and vehicles – be they cars or even motorcycles it is said among enthusiasts of vintage cars and racing automotive products that nothing comes close or matches the mystique of that early classic Jaguar Roadster the XKE120.

Review Nissan Altima – Finesse With Power

The Nissan Altima is one of the many vehicles on the road today that is a four generation vehicle proving its performance. The Nissan Altima on the market for over fifteen years has proven itself to be a great five passenger family sedan with all the performance that appeals to the public. The newest Altima has matured when it comes to its features, finesse and power. This vehicle has proven that family sedans have never been more capable than a Nissan Altima. Competition has never been fiercer than in today’s market.

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The makers of the Nissan Altima boost of the coupe handling ability. When looking for a vehicle for the family and good transportation you will not go wrong by selecting the Nissan Altima. You get great gasoline mileage with all the improvements you have very little expense if any for maintenance and it is consider one of the safest vehicles on the road. The newest vehicle starting price is only around $19,000 which makes it easy for the family man to obtain. The price makes this vehicle one of the easiest to obtain providing a great driving experience with a lot of space for the whole family.

It’s always beneficial to search for the car you want when you’re in the market to find a car that’s great for the whole family. When considering a purchase, you have to keep value in mind but you also have to remember that you don’t want to go too cheap because you get what you pay for. When you do find the car that you like, look online at reviews and more to see what others think. It’s always best to get an unbiased opinion on something rather than from the dealer. When considering a car, keep the Nissan Altima in mind.

Sunday

Review Tesla S - The Electronic Sedan Is Strong

Tesla Motors unveiled a prototype of its second vehicle, dubbed the Tesla S. Following on the heels of the recently released Tesla Roadster, the Tesla S takes the automaker in a slightly different direction - seeking to appeal to mainstream buyers, particularly those of less costly sedans with long term higher ownership costs.
Initial Appeal For The Sedan Is Strong
A seven passenger model, the Tesla S will not be going into production until late 2011, which means that when the sedan hits the market it will be cast as a 2012 model. That is still a long way off, but interest in the car is rising steadily. The automaker made a recent announcement that more than one thousand people have plunked down a $5000 refundable deposit on the sedan, signaling that the appeal for this car will eventually prove to be strong.

The Tesla Roadster made its debut in 2008 and is the first pure electric car of its kind. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, the Roadster is famous for going from zero to sixty in just 3.9 seconds while emitting zero emissions. Priced at around $108,000 before a $7500 federal tax credit kicks in, the Tesla Roadster is for the hard core sports car enthusiast, thus it is a low volume vehicle. To date, Tesla has produced just 400 copies of the Roadster although many times that number of people are on the their waiting list.
Going For A Broader Audience
With the Tesla S, Tesla Motors decided to go with a wider audience in a bid to attract customers. Priced at about $57,000, the Tesla S will get the same $7500 federal tax credit Roadster buyers receive, pushing the car’s price just below $50,000. Styled like a European luxury sedan, the S will seat five adults and two children, an unusual configuration for a car in this class.
Like the Roadster, the zero emissions S will appeal to environmentally concerned drivers. Powered by a lithium ion battery pack the sedan should have a driving range of about 300 miles. At this time, the automaker says that they are working on a QuickCharge onboard recharging unit, a device that could recharge the sedan’s depleted batteries in as little as 45 minutes. This means that for the person taking a long trip, they could stop long enough to enjoy dinner before heading out in their freshly recharged sedan without having to lose out on travel time.
All The Amenities Luxury Drivers Demand
Inside, the design of the Tesla S will astound buyers especially as they take note of a whopping seventeen inch display panel for navigation and offer all of the technological feedback and enhancements that today’s luxury car buyers demand. Premium car buyers who are attracted to a BMW or a Mercedes will feel at home in the Tesla S, perhaps finding that the car’s power and low ownership costs beyond the base price make it an attractive vehicle for them.

Monday

Peugeot - The History

The Peugeot Family has been in business in some form or another since the seventeen hundreds. From the production of coffee to bicycles in the early part of the twentieth century, automobiles would be the next big thing to come along.
The company produced its first automobile in 1889. The car was steam powered and had three wheels. However, steam proved to be unwieldy and cumbersome for use in any personal passenger vehicles. After meeting with Gottlieb Daimler, Armand Peugeot decided that the gasoline internal combustion engine was much more suited to what he had in mind. Peugeot acquired a license from Daimler to use their engines in Peugeot vehicles. Cars produced by the French company would remain powered by Daimler engines until the first Peugeot engines were developed in 1896.

Just as it had always been, Peugeot continued to produce a variety of products up through the turn of the twentieth century when Armand Peugeot formed his own company to focus exclusively on automobile manufacturing.
Peugeot would become an early influence on car racing in Europe and would remain a power in this arena for years to come. Around the time of World War 1, Armand decided to try his handed at motorcycles. His family had longed produced some of the finest bicycles in Europe. Armand was just as successful at motorcycles as his family had been with bicycles and the Peugeot Auto Company has produced motorcycles every since.
Once Europe became embroiled in World War I, Peugeot, just as most other manufacturers of the time, turned their attention to the war efforts. They eventually became a major manufacturer of arms and military vehicles throughout the remainder of the war. Once the allies were victorious, the focus once again turned to car production.
The French car company entered the United States market in 1958 with the Peugeot 404. Peugeot was never able to find its niche in American society and for the most part consumers simply ignored the brand. After several attempts to pique the curiosity of the American car buyer, Peugeot decided to cut its losses and withdrew from the American market. This did not exclude the company from going after American car manufacturers in Europe, however. In 1978, the company took over Chrysler Europe. Chrysler Corporation was suffering from heavy financial losses both at home and abroad and accepted the offer to take the ailing division off its hands almost immediately. Earlier in 1974, Peugeot had also acquired Citroen and for a brief period had interest in Maserati as well. The acquisition of so much debt so quickly proved nearly to be the undoing of Peugeot in the early eighties. The introduction of the popular Peugeot 205 was credited with the company's recovery from the brink of financial ruin. While the 205 was able to save the company from complete collapse, Peugeot was still experiencing some financial stress.
For the future, Peugeot has announced a goal of selling 4 million units annually. In order to accomplish this, the French car manufacturer has plans of pursuing some of the more exotic markets in the world such as China, Russia and South America. Due to the weakening of the U.S. Dollar, there has been some talk of a return to the American market. At this point, that may well be speculation only.

Tuesday

Review Subaru Forrester - With Four-Speed Automatic Transmission

Subaru Forrester is counted among the large affordable SUVs. This SUV has been really rated as a good family and sport SUV by critics because of its excellent acceleration. Surprisingly power performance, good driving experience and above all proven safety standards along with more modern styling make this SUV a good choice for those who love luxury and authority.
However if it is compared to Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V then it lacks in some areas compared to their overall performance. Reviews on Subaru Forrester shows that the vehicle offers plenty of options, several trims levels with engine choices and luxurious interior display. This is the vehicle for those who love to enthrall themselves with powerful engine.



The SUV has been redesigned for power, performance and appeal. Being powerful this time the Subaru Forrester won’t compromise with fuel. The engines are not gluttons this time and they burn 25 percent less fuel than previous models and there is increase in horsepower too. The best part is that all the power train comes with all-wheel drive option. Trims and Engine performance of Subaru Forrester: The several trims of Forester are - the 2.5X, Sport X, Sport XT, 2.5 X L.L. Bean Edition and 2.5 XT Limited. The base level engines of the SUV is a 2.5 liter horizontally opposed four cylinder Subaru Boxer engine which is cable to make 173 horsepower and 166 pound ft torque.
The turbocharged version of the engine is a powerful engine which is packed a 224-horsepower, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged boxer engine, they make 226 pound-feet of torque. Both these engines are available with various trims. The 2.5 X and Sports 2.5 X are available with a standard five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. If we compare the performance with other SUV like Jeep Cherokee it is found that the Forrester could have been more impressive had they bother to entice it another engine choice. The Jeep Cherokee has rive engine choices to make.
Jeep Cherokee has a with a 3.7 liter V6 engine which has an adequate horsepower of 210. You can expect adequate power from this V6 engine. This is the base engine model of the SUV. There is a 4.7 liter V8 engine with 291 horsepower (a 24 percent increase) and 335 pound-feet of torque. There is an optional 5.7 liter Hemi V8 engine. So, in that consideration a Subaru Forrester engine could have opted for a 3.0 liter V6 engine which they even have in their Subaru Impreza WRX model.

Aston Martin - James Bond Connection

If you were asked what car James Bond drives, most people would reply - Aston Martin. However throughout the James Bond series of films and novels, Q branch has given Bond a wide variety of vehicles including, Bentleys, the Lotus Esprit; the BMW Z3, BMW 750iL and the BMW Z8 and even a Saab 900. So why is there such a firm association between James Bond and Aston Martin vehicles?
Not only are Aston Martins important exotic espionage equipment , packed full of mission winning gadgetry, weapons systems, anti-pursuit systems, alternate transportation modes, and various other functions but they are also character building. James Bond isn't your average man; and with a brand new Aston Martin DB9 costing more than half the value of the average house in the UK, only a very few people to own one, this mirrors the exclusivity of Bond.



Bond's most famous car is the silver grey Aston Martin DB5. James Bond, then played by Sean Connery was introduced to his silver birch Aston Martin DB5 in the 1964 first seen in Goldfinger; it later featured in Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and Casino Royale. The standard equipment on the Aston martin DB5 included reclining seats, pile carpets, electric windows and a fire extinguisher. All models had 4 seats and 2 doors. Of course James Bonds Aston martin DB5 came with a few extras - front machine guns, electable passenger seat, bullet proof glass and steel shield.
During filming a number of different Aston Martin DB5s are used because vehicles inevitably get bumped and smashed up during the filming process. One of the Aston Martin DB5s that featured in so many of the 007 films was sold in January 2006 at an auction in Arizona for $2,090,000 to an unnamed European collector.
Similarly, one of the Aston Martin DBS' that was used during the filming of Quantum Of Solace, its fate ending in Lake Garda, was sold 200, 000 pounds when a fan decided to pay for its wrecks.

Monday

Kia Soul : Turbo Diesel option

The first thing that strikes you about the Kia Soul is the way it looks like a child’s toy that has been designed by a hyperactive, caffeine-addicted, Attention Deficit Disorder sufferer. The thinking behind the aesthetic design is obviously Kia’s attempt to shake of the drab and cheap impression that many people have of the brand. The boxy body, with odd curves, tall roofline and high ground clearance does look a lot more striking than anything else that has rolled out of Kia’s Korean production line, but is it all a bit too much for the classically reserved British palette?
Early indications suggest that the Kia Soul will most probably fit very nicely into the market; unavoidable really considering it is trying so hard to impress every single type of car owner. The sporty looks will attract the youngsters, the ecologically-sound engine will impress the ‘Green’-set, the roomy interior will persuade those of us with families and the price-tag will convince those who have recently been credit crunched. For one car to attempt to corner four vastly different markets is a very brave move but one that could potentially blow up in Kia’s face.
The Kia Soul is available with 1.6 Litre Petrol or Turbo Diesel option, both generating an impressive 124bhp and producing 55.4 mpg, so it is relatively powerful for its class and isn’t a gas-guzzler either. Its notable 137 g/km Co2 emissions are also worth mentioning in this increasingly environmentally aware society. All in all everything under the bonnet performs above expectation, which is a rare boon for Kia, who seem to stick rigidly to the engineering principle of ‘never surprise or overwhelm’. That is until the Soul popped its odd-looking head over the horizon.

Inside the Kia Soul is a relatively comfortable and pleasant place to be. The interior has obviously been as well considered as the exterior. Clearly laid-out controls, good driving position and firm but comfy seats show that Kia have the driver’s pleasure at the forefront of their designing minds. The Kia also comes with air-con as standard to keep you feeling cool, whilst the Soul continues looking cool.
The handling is light, progressive and responsive, which is everything the prospective supermini owner is looking for in a car. The 16inch basic wheel option is also oddly superior to the 18-inch option, which somehow manages to multiply the feedback of every tiny bump thousands of times. Other than that, the Kia Soul provides a generally smooth and enjoyable ride.
The Kia Soul will be available for around £12,000, which slots it in at the lower end of family-sized hatchbacks. Its nearest competition is likely to be the new Fiesta, which we already know will trounce the Kia Soul in every conceivable way. What Kia will be looking for however, is to make a little headway into the market and hopefully convince a few naysayers that Kia can manufacture cars with character and good performance.

Saturday

Porsche Finally Gains Control of Volkswagen

In a surprising move, German sports car maker Porsche has just taken over the largest European car manufacturer, Volkswagen. After purchasing more than 50 percent of VW’s shares, Porsche is now in the driver’s seat of a massive conglomeration controlled by its shareholders and unions.
This isn’t the first time that Porsche has attempted to overtake Volkswagen. In 2005 the automaker made a failed attempt to acquire more than 50 percent of VW due to unstable market speculation, which had sent VW shares as high as $1,350 per share. With such growth, VW claimed in August to have overtaken Ford to become the third largest automaker in the world, behind GM and Toyota.

Reports claim that Porsche intends to increase its stake to 75 percent this year, gaining complete control of the auto group. At dealers such as Volkswagen Saint Louis, the relationship between VW and Porsche has already been apparent. Vehicles such as the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne already share many components with each other. VW and Porsche have much to benefit from each other strategically observes Mercedes Benz Pittsburgh dealers.
Trade unions are powerful at VW, and reports also indicate that Porsche control may upset the balance currently established. While Porsche claims to be a long-term investor, job cuts at VW plants could ultimately result. At the retail end, Dartmouth Volkswagen expects plenty of long-term changes and exciting new products, perhaps further blending components and design across the likes of Porsche, Volkswagen, and Audi.

Wednesday

Ferrari History

One of the most excellent sports car brands all over the world is Ferrari. In 1947, the company was founded by Enzo Ferrari in Italy. It was former known as Scuderia Ferrari. Ferrari supported and sponsored a number of race drivers as well as manufactured racecars, before venturing into the production of legal vehicles in 1947.
"1947 125 Sport" was the earliest road car of Ferrari. In order to finance Scuderia Ferrari, Enzo came up with the idea of producing and selling road cars. Although the period was highly profitable, Enzo was still hesitant with the idea he came up with. For him, people purchase his produced cars for prestige rather than the car's performance.

As time passed by, Ferrari came out as the top racecar producer and a leading race team. The company became successful without knowing that there are hidden tensions among its senior managers. Because of misunderstanding and conflict of ideas, Giralamo Gardini, sales manager of the company who had troubles with the intrusion of Enzo's wife, finally has decided to end his work with the company. Many other people even came along with the resignation of Gardini. They have decided to come up with a fresh and new company that will become Ferraris' competitor. With the many resignations the company had, there was a great loss.
Before a number of resignations, Ferrari was working on a project called "250GTO". This was handled by Mauro Gorghieri and Sergio Scaglietti. The purpose of the project was to improve things. Dino road cars and models such as "F275" and "Daytona" were considered best sellers in the market.
The company had a lot of rising competitors in the early 60s when Shelby Cobra, a V8 engine powered came out. Ford attempted to buy the company but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in their motives. Ferrari also experienced great challenges with Porsche. This was because of the "Porsche908" model. However, it was still Ferrari 312PB models that conquered the World Sports Championship that took place in 1972.
1988 was the year of Enzo's death. Ferrari saw an enormous increase in old car values and even the sales of fresh new models. It was a comeback for Ferrari f1 team when Michael Schumacher made up his mind to sign up for Ferrari. From 2004 up to the present, Ferrari is still controlled by Fiat Group. The Fiat Group owns a 56% stake in the company. The rest, they say, is history. Ferrari history that is.

Lamborghini History

Lamborghini cars are much-loved by car aficionados around the world. They have excellent performance in terms of speed and built with style. The main characteristics of a Lamborghini cars are its tremendous style and tremendous speed. They are the number one rival of Ferrari. And if you happen to live in Beverly Hills you will likely see a scissor-door Lamborghini at malls , drive thrus and coffee shops. These kind of vehicles are designed exclusively for some customers.
The founder of Lamborghini, Ferruccio Lamborghini, who served with the Air Force mechanics corps with Italy during the World War II. And he was good in working with engines. When World War II was over there was a shortage of tractors. Lamborghini grabbed the opportunity and he bought military machines that were a surplus and changed them to tractors. It was a brilliant idea and his move resulted in a thriving business career as a young entrepreneur. And it made him a very wealthy man very quickly.

The tractor business of Lamborghini became more successful during 1950 and they expanded to heater and air conditioning business and was even a more flourishing business. Lamborghini was a car lover and he had a lot of sports car that were considered the best at that time. And because of his frustration of Ferrari cars he built a car that was more better from the Ferraris. He built a state of the art automotive factory in the small village of Sant'Agata. And his automotive engineer was Giotto Bizzarrini who worked with Ferrari before. The tractor business also faced hard times during the early 70's that led Lamborghini to sell his controlling interest of Automobili Lamborghini SpA to a Swiss industrialist. When the oil crisis came his problems worsened and led him to sell his shares that were left. But after ten years Lamborghini declared bankruptcy because the development of the military truck style Cheetah were not selling well.
But on 1980 the company rose back and the reason for this was the introduction and popularity of Countach. It is an over the top, fully styled with angles and vents sports car. In 1987 the Lamborghini was sold to Chrysler. There was also another change of ownership in 1994.
Lamborghini has already produced models like the four-seater Espada and other V8 sports cars. And cars such as the Countach and the Diablo are always recognized as Lamborghini cars. And the rest, they say, is Lamborghini history.

History of BMW

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, in English, Bavarian Motor Works, like Mercedes-Benz is a German automobile manufacturer. The man behind this was Karl Friedrich Rapp. This started in the year 1913. It was not known to everyone that BMW was then a manufacturer of aircraft engines. Rapp established "Rapp-Motorenwerke" in Munich. He started to manufacture his own aircraft engines. Unfortunately, they suffered from problems with vibrations.
Rapp Motoren Werke experienced different problems with the reliability of the aircraft engines. Due to financial problems, Rapp decided to resign from the company in the year 1916. Two Austrians then took over. They were Franz-Josef Popp and Max Fritz. They were able to convince Gustav Otto to merge with them. The merging of the "Gustav Flugmaschinefabrik" and "Bavarian Aircraft Works" gave birth to Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke. The company was then renamed to BMW and in 1918 became BMW AG.

The very first aircraft engine of BMW, Type Illa, was produced during the year 1917. It features a unique "high-altitude carburetor" developed by Fritz that allows it to develop full power at altitude.
After a year, the said aircraft engine powered a biplane to 5,000 meters altitude in just 29 minutes. During those days, it was already a very impressive performance. It then led to the strong demand for BMW engines.
The successor of Type Illa was born in the year 1919. It was named Type IV. With this new engine, Franz Zeno Diemer was able to set an altitude record of 9, 760 meters.
The present logo of BMW seen in the cars today was introduced in the early 1920s. It was based on the circular design of an aircraft propeller.
The company thought of other products and so they started to build engines for motorcycles. They designed the M2 B 15 for the "Victoria" motorcycle. This was the first BMW motorcycle engine and was produced from 1920 to 1922. The first motorized bicycle named "Flink" paved its way in the year 1921. It was powered by a Kurier two stroke engine. In 1922, the first BMW factory was built.
The year 1928 marked the beginning of the BMW car. The company bought the car factory at Eisenach/Thuringia and with it the license to build a small car called the Dixi 3/15. the Dixi was the counterpart of Austin 7. The German version of Dixi was BMW Dixi DA/1. This period was the best for BMW since it was beginning of all the success it is experiencing until now.

2009 Aston Martin DBS - Quantum of Solace

Don't the cool guys seem to always pick some of the fastest and sleekest designed cars? Well, then it should be no surprise that James Bond will be sporting a serious and speedy vehicle, namely the 2009 Aston Martin DBS in the upcoming film "Quantum of Solace". The V12 exotic sports car has a 6.0 liter engine with an exquisite interior hand finished that is attractive to common and rich folk alike. The aerodynamic design makes it even better suited for espionage.
The Aston Martin DBS zooms from zero to sixty in just 4.2 seconds. Underneath the hood, it puts out up to 510 hp. At only 3737 pounds of weight this exotic feline will hit the roads a blazing and top out at 191 mph according to reliable testing sources.


The 2009 DBS provides an optional six-speed automatic transaxle, 2+2 seats, 20-inch wheels and an audio by Bang & Olufsen. The design and layout is the same as the DB9 with a bit more sleekness. The body is made of aluminum and carbon fiber. One of the new colors for this model is aptly named Quantum Silver.

For 2009, the Aston Martin DBS comes equipped with new vented carbon ceramic brake discs which are a first for an off-track Aston Martin. These are custom designed to align with the double wishbone alloy suspension that features damper control which utilizes two separate valves to set the damper for five different positions. This feature is an important trait if you want to possess instant adjustment of the car's handling characteristics and out maneuver the thumbs up road warriors trying to beat you to the club or international airport.
Gentlemen, if you are considering getting one, not as a spy, what could possibly stop you when you can rent one first to get a feel of the superior handling and awesome design before using a fraction of available funds to acquire it for a cool $265,000.

Sunday

Review Porsche 977 Bodyshell

A new Porsche 911 is always fascinating because it's interesting to see how after more than 40 years of development the Porsche team still manages to bring changes and improvements to this icon model.
The new 997 bodyshell combines the sleek modern looks of the 996 series with the popular retro styling cues from older 911s. The front end is completed with round lights and separate parking/fog/indicator lights. This change, combined with wider hips echoes the last of the air-cooled 911s, the 993. Other changes in the bodyshell are the new door handles, wing mirrors and the stylish cut of the rear wings into the bumper/lights.


Even if the 997 looks a lot like the previous model, the 996, the new car is actually 38mm wider which creates a more aggressive appearance. With each new model introduced, Porsche has aimed to reduce the drag co-efficient helping the 911 slide through the air more effectively, and so aiding performance. The same thing has been done with the new car, and if we compare the 993 Cd of 0.34 to the 997`s 0.28 we can see how far the aerodynamic game has moved on. The latest body shell and rear wing combine with new underbody paneling to also offer increased levels of down force for this latest evolution of Porsche's finest.
The latest Porsche model is the best handling 911 ever. Improving a car's rigidity helps ensure the suspension can work more effectively and while not making such a quantum leap as the team did with the 996. Porsche improved torsional rigidity by 8% and added as much as 40% more flexural strength.
For the new car, Porsche wanted to improve crash safety so they added two new air bags located in the side of each front seat back-rest, designed to protect the thorax. They kept the previous two front and two side airbags, which means that now there are six in total. For the same reason, crash safety, the reinforced body shell features further protection such as a more extensive use of super high strength steel.
The latest model is also 50 kg heavier than the 996. The reason is that modern crash safety regulations kind of force the new cars to come with increased weight, despite the usage of a large range of weight saving measures, including an aluminum bonnet
Aside from the crash safety improvements, much of the additional weight can be attributed to the higher standard specification of the new cars. Power to weight is similar with the latest car offering 233 bhp per tone against it's predecessors 238 and the new models improved aerodynamics must help it post Porsches claimed performance figures, which are identical to the 996.

Monday

Audi TT Club Haven Qattro

The place of the premiere could be better selected hardly. Not on any autofair, but at the legendary GTI meeting at the Austrian Wörthersee AUDI reveals a study on this weekend already again. , Where for meanwhile 26 years the full power friends of the cars made of wolf castle and Ingolstadt meet to the merry Angasen and are expected in this year more than 200,000 guests, those let all coverings fall and place Bavaria a TT on the stage, which into the Tuningszene fits like Hot Pants or the classical Voku Hila hair-style. All those, which regard the TT rather as a Schönling as for a sports car, want to obviously instruct the AUDI responsible persons with the HP-Event in Kärnten with the type “club haven Quattro” a better one.“Purism on Premium level” reads the work title, under which the designers made the Roadster the Speedster and also still put so the last remainder down of the Bikini.

Because a roof does not have this car no more, and of the windshield only a tiny, darkly sounded strip remains. Goods TT-drivers so far if necessary above without on the way, sit them now formally naked in the wind.The open two-seater looks already at first sight tremendously bad: The powerful single Frame grill is stressed with crosswise presented aluminum props for the first time in the width. Four enormous, vergitterte cooling openings cover the air requirement of the engine, and under headlights now the LED lights of the day headlight gleam grimmig ahead. The club haven Quattro works trained. Finally put on the axles 20-Zöller, on which AUDI 265er drew tires up. The trace of the sportsman is therefore eight centimeters more broadly than with the normal TT and the wheel housings curves like the upper arms of a Bodybuilders after the last Anabolika syringe.

Only the most necessary - also in the engine compartmentAt the same time the designers continued to simplify the silhouette of the car: The outside mirrors are clearly smaller, and there are not door handles any longer. No, one must climb nevertheless not as with a formula-1-car over the parapet wall in the cars, crowned by a circulating aluminum screen. Separate a pressure on the remote maintenance been sufficient, already play the Speedster “Sesam open you” and let the doors jump up. At the tail against it it may be again somewhat more: There the overroll bars were flattened, but but there are two windschnittige peaks on the useless covering box and far down two oval exhaust final pipes, how they strain otherwise only the S-models of the Ingolstädter against their backer. Automove newsEven under the hood maximum minimalism was announced. No concern, on achievement the developers did not do without.

On the contrary, from the S3 well-known gasoline direct injecting he turbo things come to the Porsche killer in the so far strongest version no longer on only 260, but now 300 HP and have thereby always. Even if AUDI keeps the technical data of the engine still for itself. But drum around it works for the engine compartment of a modern car strangely empty and offenherzig. No dust cover prevents the deep view in the Dekolletee, and no Nebenaggregate moves the four-cylinder on the Pelle. Air conditioning system? Active charcoal filter? With so much admission of fresh air one can give oneself that obviously everything.Bright aluminum and rumors of a small seriesThe interior is not completely so asketisch arranged. It smells also here rather after adrenalin as after the aniline of the Gerber.

But on comfort the passengers must hardly do without - at least if they fit comfortably into the running bowls and at the broad belts of point of four do not push. Then they enjoy the view of a abgespecktes running cockpit with perpendicularly standing pointers, stroke the sport steering wheel with flat lower surface or the Schaltknauf in the quadrant from the sports car R8, and let the view curve over more bright aluminum than in every other AUDI.The hand grips of the door, the steering wheel spokes and the footrests do not only gleam matt, but even the pedals were milled from it. In addition there is much black and somewhat oranges leather and as nice Gimmick a MP3-Spieler von Audis acoustic partner fears for & Olufssen, which fits directly into the middle nozzle of the ventilation and like a black diamond over the navigation system thront.

Still the club haven Quattro is a unique piece. But one thinks with AUDI hearing after seriously about the building a small series. The car might cost then clearly more than 50,000 euro. The idea of a TTS already geistert not in vain by the sheet forest for months. In addition the building of such a vehicle leaves itself - which the many hundred knitted sport exhibits show in the mountain idyl - hardly more to prevent. Because if AUDI does not make it, the Freaks among the mark friends makes it even.

Review BMW 650i - Sports Car Enthusiast

The BMW 6 series was relaunched in 2004 with the BMW 645i. This car was a two door, four passenger luxury sports car. This car is ideal for a sports car enthusiast who would prefer a larger, more practical car compared to the 650's 2 passenger, lighter peers. In 2006, BMW upgraded the 645i to a 650i by increasing the engine a little. When including options and taxes, the 650i tends to run at about $80,000, so it's not exactly cheap. Here are the pros and cons of the car:

Pros
Amazing handling: The car is amazing to drive. When you drive the car, you feel as if you have total control over the vehicle. A car such as the Mercedes CLS (also priced near $80k) just cannot match this car's handling. The BMW 650i definitely has the handling one would expect from a German-made luxury sports car.
Gadgets: The BMW 650i comes with BMW's Idrive, an all-encompassing electronic system. The Idrive controls the navigation system, music, air conditioning, as well as communication system. The Idrive also has voice command, making it easy to use when driving. Some believe the Idrive is a bit difficult to operate. That's hogwash. Within two weeks of owning the car, anyone competent enough to use a computer or a DVD should be able to operate the Idrive flawlessly. The Idrive is the gadget-lover's ultimate car toy.
Interior: The interior of the 650i is beautiful. It has modern, classy feel to it. Your taller passengers will certainly appreciate being seated in the front though, as the back is not exactly spacious.
Acceleration: With a V8 and 360 hp, the car isn't exactly going to be outrun by a Civic. The acceleration and amazing breaks can also help you get out of accidents that other cars wouldn't be able to avoid.

Cons
Reliability: Expect to make stops at the service center every now and then. While it is a wonderful car, it is prone to electronic and tire issues.
Price: At about $80,000, it's not exactly in the everyman's budget. But if you are willing to spend this much money on a car, the 650i is definitely a good one to check out.