Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Charger Body Kits Will Give A Special Look To Your Car
You devote your time and take some pains to select a car of your choice and feel happy when you find one that appeals to you. You would have looked for its performance, reliability, safety, and durability and you would also have paid attention to its looks. However, all cars of same make and model look more or less similar despite a number of options given by the manufacturers. Acquiring aftermarket products is the next step. Here you have a much wider choice. Charger body kits too are available in a number of designs and styles. Through them you can impart an extra exclusive cosmetic touch to your car. Body kits are a set of items fitted externally on a vehicle. They do not cost much and it is not very difficult to install them but they can give a new look to your car.
One of the three or four different materials is used in making body kits. They have their own merits and demerits which can be known from several websites which give relevant information about body kits. You can see there their designs as well as know their comparative prices. You can select them online and if you so wish you can even buy them online. The next step is of installing them. You have to be careful to see that they are properly installed. You and your family will enjoy driving in car customized with Charger body kits.
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The Uses Of A Car Camera
There are a lot of benefits for using some kind or car safety camera device. First and foremost the the system can be running when you are driving, but secondly it can continue to work whilst the car is parked. This can be a very valuable asset when cars are frequently stolen or broken into. Having footage can be important in insurance claims too. They have been known to considerably reduce the time spent claiming for an accident as they are able to show the event as it happens. In essence, car cameras can act as witnesses to any accident that occurs. Having the camera working whilst the car is parked is also an excellent way to help move disputes and accident damage claims along. Have you ever come back to your parked car to discover there is a scratch or a dent? If a camera was operating you would be able to see what happened and more importantly your insurance claim can be processed quicker.
Taxi drivers in particular benefit from having security in their cars. Picking up passengers later in the evening, perhaps after a night fueled by alcohol can place drivers in a dangerous position. Having a camera can provide that extra bit of security in these situations. Either the camera can be clearly displayed or placed in a covert position, but either way if you come in contact with any dangerous or threatening behaviour you can have something solid to take to the police as evidence.
If you want to buy a car camera of some kind then the best route to take is first to decide what you are wanting it for specifically. There are many factors you will want to consider such as the length of running time and the position of the camera in the vehicle. If you have one facing forwards then the front of the vehicle can be monitored. If you want it facing the rear of the vehicle then this will be monitored. They come in many different sizes so you need to consider how large or small yours needs to be. You will want to think about whether you want the camera on display to act as a deterrent perhaps, or whether it is better to have it discretely hidden.
A popular type of camera for the car is the mini DVR camera that is designed to be stuck onto the windscreen. It can record both outside the car and inside too so it would work well for taxi drivers. It is also perfect for insurance reasons as it can capture any accidents or problems as they happen. This can be helpful when it comes to making a claim and can move the case along much more quickly. Whatever type of car camera you are interested in buying you should shop online. Here you will find the best selection of cameras available and at the best prices. For any type of in car camera you should make sure you get the best and have access to the widest selection available. From covert cameras to pin hole cameras, shop online today.
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Officially new BMW X5 LCI 2011 Interior
Friday, December 24, 2010
Happy Holiday Greeting
Sneak Peek: 2012 Hyundai Veloster
Hyundai is excited — and Honda might be scared — about the Veloster’s Detroit Auto Show reveal. There’s a countdown timer on Hyundai’s Web site (we’re currently 19 days away from a reveal) and a teaser video you can view below.
We know the Veloster will have a direct-injection engine, possibly some form of the 2011 Elantra‘s new Nu 1.8-liter four-cylinder. In that compact sedan, output is 148 horsepower. The sporty Veloster will get a dual-clutch gearbox and, in the teaser video, Hyundai maintains the 40-mpg claim. If the Veloster is rated 40 mpg on the highway, it would surpass the fuel economy of the Honda CR-Z with the CVT and six-speed manual. However, it’s not clear whether combined mileage would come close to the CR-Z’s 37 and 34 mpg with the CVT and manual, respectively.
The Veloster will also have Blue Link Connectivity, undoubtedly a competitor to Ford’s SYNC system. With the rumored non-hybrid Honda CR-Z turbo possibly on the way, it looks like muscle cars aren’t the only sporty automotive segment to be receiving more interest lately from automakers.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
240SXbody Kits - Give A New Look To Your Car
Whatever be the version of the vehicle a coupe, or a hatchback, or a convertible 240 SX body kits will meet the urges of the car owner to give it a new look. People generally want their possessions like house or furniture to have a unique look. Car owners think in the same way about their cars. They want it to stand out amongst other cars. Body kits include front and rear bumpers which can alter the front appearance of the vehicle. Side skirts and side guards other components forming part of the body kits can do the same about the side appearance. Spoiler another component of body kits can modify the looks and also improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Wisely selected body kits can fulfill the aspirations of the car owner to give a personalized look to the vehicle. It is easy to select them online where you will get all the information required for the selection. After selecting them their installation will also need your close attention to ensure that they are correctly fitted.
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Bugatti Veyron Centenaire Edition - driving in Paris
New Car: 2011 Aston Martin DB9 Special Editions
Thanks to: Auto Express
New Car: 2012 Toyota Vitz/Yaris
Thanks to: Auto Express
First Sketch: Kia KV7 Concept
As you can see from the rendering, the KV7 Concept is a crossover whose lines resemble an extended Kia Soul or, if you squint a little, the Ford Flex (though albeit smaller). The KV7’s most funky feature, though, are those secondary passenger doors, which swing up straight up and out – gullwing style. Look out SLS AMG! Inside, the second row bucket seats can swivel to face each other and the rear of the vehicle. Wonder if there will be table inside?
Otherwise, rims match the rest of the Kia family, and it looks like the KV7 will get the Kia corporate face, with the right front headlamp which looking like an evolution from the Kia Kue Kue Concept which debuted back in at the 2007 Detroit Show.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
Sneak Peek: 2012 Toyota Prius MPV
Are you into skateboards and/or skateboarding? And the Toyota Prius? Well, we have just the video for you because this YouTube find shows all manner of grinds, aerials, and flips, plus an actual peek at the upcoming Prius MPV.
Deep into video, which includes pro skateboarder Bob Burnquist, we see the Brazilian-American padding up for another run in the rear cargo hold of the Prius MPV. Though we only see it in the open position, the MPV’s hatch lid is definitely affixed at a higher roof point compared to the standard Prius, and that’ll help accommodate extra interior volume. How much exactly? We’ll have to wait till next year to find out at the Detroit Auto Show.
From the billboard teaser we found earlier, we can already see the Prius MPV roofline rides at a greater height. And looking from the outside in, we also catch a glimpse of the rear quarter panel glass, which is definitely larger and a dead giveaway for the MPV’s greater dimensions.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
Thursday, December 23, 2010
New Car: 2012 Mercedes C-Class
As the cheapest and humblest car in Mercedes’ U.S. showrooms, where it lives next to larger, more-powerful, more-luxurious, and more-prestigious vehicles, the C-class has had a tough time establishing itself as a full-cachet, no-apologies Mercedes-Benz. But a window of opportunity seems to be opening for the C-class come the 2012 model year, with its mid-cycle update arriving just as world events and economic challenges have precipitated a shift among luxury buyers toward “right-sized” vehicles containing full-size luxury amenities.
It will certainly try to impress. The restyled 2012 C-class will greet customers with a more upscale face highlighted by a sculpted front fascia and new, CLS-style headlamps that blend into the fenders. Distinct Sport and Luxury trims continue for 2012, with the Sport model being differentiated by its grille and thin chrome spears in the outboard air intakes, which also house the LED running lights that are now standard on all C-class models. The brightwork continues along the doors and around the new rear bumper. The taillamps are also new for 2012, with more distinct detailing and still more LEDs.
The biggest news is a more powerful naturally aspirated engine in the top-shelf C350 Sport, plus the addition of a new base model, the C250, with a turbocharged four-cylinder under its hood. The C350 Sport’s V-6 is a new, direct-injection 3.5-liter, and its output is raised from the outgoing C350’s 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque to a healthy 302 hp and 273 lb-ft. The mid-grade C300 retains its 3.0-liter V-6 with 228 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, but now is offered only with 4MATIC all-wheel drive (and will be the only C-class available thus equipped). At the low end of the range is that new C250, powered by a direct-injected, turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder that produces 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque. The C250 is slated to deliver among the highest fuel-economy of any Mercedes-Benz offered on these shores: an estimated 24 mpg combined. (For the record, the larger E350 BlueTec diesel is EPA-rated for 26 combined.) As for acceleration, Mercedes says the C250 should hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, a figure it also cites for the C300 4MATIC. The top-dog C350 is said to make the 0-to-60-mph sprint in 5.9.
Each of the three engines comes mated exclusively to a seven-speed automatic transmission, which means that you’ll no longer be able find a manual in the C-class when the 2012 model arrives next summer. (As if you could realistically find one in circulation before!) That means the current SLK300 will be the only U.S. Merc with a row-your-own option. As usual, auto-only also will apply to the 2012 C63 AMG, which also will be refreshed and goes on sale next summer or fall. It will retain the current 6.2-liter V-8, rather than moving to the twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 like other AMGs.
Thanks to: Car and Driver
Explorer Body Kits - Great Styling For A Tough Car
And you can give your Ford Explorer sizzling looks with the help of Explorer body kits. And though you can make it look smart and stylish for the city you can also retain its tough character while doing that. For you to be able to do this you will find you have a great choice of options of color styles and such to do up your car. First though you will need to choose a material for the body kits. You can choose polyurethane body kits if you would like the body kits to be able take in a minor bump or scratch without lasting damage. If you want the performance to remain great you can opt for carbon fiber body kits which are light and do not add a lot of weight to your car. There are also Duraflex body kits which have a great finish and being flexible are able to fit better on the car.
For the style and color you can choose from the available components such as bumpers, side skirts and a car spoiler. A car spoiler not only enhances the looks but it also improves the aerodynamics. If you have one installed your car will hug the road better at high speeds. You can choose a high impact outgoing style or a sober understated style as per your taste and personality. Body kits are not very expensive and you can get great new looks without having to spend a lot of money.
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Common Causes Of Car Accidents: 5 Ways To Minimize The Risks
But by understanding what contributes to car accidents, both harmless and deadly, we can minimize the chances that we will ever be involved in one. There's always the chance of becoming a victim to another hapless driver, but awareness and adjusting your driving can significantly change the odds…in your favor.
Here are some common causes of car accidents to be aware of.
1. Speeding
Many car accidents are caused by speeding. While those new to driving might find going slow to be a drag and take some of the "fun" out of it, we must remember that a vehicle is a tool—and a dangerous one at that. When we are driving faster, we are given less time to react when something goes wrong, like another driver entering our lane, an animal running into the road, or a sharp curve creeping up on us. When we are driving too fast, it also reduces our car's performance in several ways. For instance, we may lose control going around bends, and the distance we need to stop is much larger than when we are driving at slower speeds.
2. Distractions
Another common cause, especially with mobile technologies, is distraction. Most of us have heard of a small handful of people who have been killed while driving because they were talking on a cell phone or texting and distracted from noticing a danger in time to prevent an accident. Other distractions include trying to read something, reaching to grab something, paying attention to something off the roadway, talking to a passenger, or simply daydreaming.
When you're at the wheel, never forget the responsibility that is in your hands. Put all your energy and focus into the task at hand, and stay alert for any possible sudden changes in the environment that may pose a threat.
3. Careless Driving
Careless driving also causes a lot of accidents and, unfortunately, deaths. Especially younger drivers are known for showboating or just driving haphazardly—and in most cases, the simple reason is they don't take the dangers of driving seriously enough. Even older, more mature drivers "cut corners" in the sake of time or convenience by running stop signs, following too closely, or any other number of aggressive driving mistakes.
Nothing can be more sobering than a brief lapse in judgment ruining lives.
4. Drunk Driving
The most preventable cause of automobile accidents is drunk driving—a cause of death that crosses nearly every parent's mind when they first hand their teenager the car keys. We all know it is a problem and a very dangerous one, yet so many still do it.
Any time you've had a drink, you should refrain from driving—it is simple as that. Use taxis, designated drivers, and self-control. Anything else is a show of complete neglect for your own life and the lives of others.
5. Weather
Of course, weather is also a major factor in automobile accidents and in any of the cases above, it can make an accident much more likely to happen. Driving speeds and habit should always be adjusted in regards to the current road environment, so keep an eye on the weather and drive accordingly—it's the law, but it's also your life and the lives of others.
The simple truth is that most car accidents involve a variety of different contributing factors, and even if you do everything perfectly, someone else's mistake can quickly alter your life. For that reason, the best policy is and always has been defensive driving. Make it a point to always be aware of not only what you are doing but what those around you are doing, and always be prepared to give to a more aggressive driver.
There is life in your hands.
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Car Relocation - Ways It Is Made Simple And Safe For Everyone
There are some important things that will help make moving your automobile easier and safer, no matter how far you will be relocating it.
One of the things that you need to do is to decide how you want to go about getting your automobile to your new destination. You are the only one that can decide if you will move it yourself, or if you will locate help to achieve this.
Think carefully about it and do your homework on both options. This will let you make the smart choice and will also allow you to see which solution would be the best fit to your budget.
Once you have made your decision on how to get it moved, the next step is to get started. If you are going to move it yourself, then there is really not much to do except to get it ready for transport.
If you will be hiring help from an auto transport company, then you need to take the next step of locating the right company to hire. Don't make the same mistake others have of hiring the first company they find.
You have to give yourself time to research different companies carefully. This will help you decide if a company is really dependable, if they provide a reasonable cost and if they provide the particular transport service that you need.
The next step to take is to decide which company will be hired by you and then take action to make it happen. Once that step is done, your next task is to get your vehicle ready for transport.
Find out from the company if they have certain things they want you to do to prepare your vehicle. Also, do the smart thing and take out your personal belongings so that nothing happens to them and so that they don't end up doing damage inside your automobile during transport.
One last thing you need to do is to be ready on the day that the company arrives to take your automobile. You will have to be there when the time comes because most companies won't take possession of an automobile without someone available to give consent and the keys.
Now that you know how car relocation can be made simple for anyone, you just need to get started. Be sure you think about your two options carefully for moving your automobile, then take action to make it happen. The sooner you make your decision and set your plans into motion, the sooner you will be confident that your vehicle will get to your new home safely and easily.
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Car Alarms
The car alarms usually works by emitting high volume beeps or various other kind of sounds mostly according to the customization of the user. In some cases the car horn, klaxon sounds or pre-recorded warnings are used. The car alarms are triggered by an entire spectrum of signals. They include vibrations of any sorts, opening of the hood or the boot. Touching of the door or any part of the car can cause the car alarm to go off. In some cases the car alarms are also accompanied by the flashing of the lights of the car. If you are the one with a fetish for total control and want complete security you can even customize settings of the car alarm with a pager system so that you get informed as soon as someone tries to tamper with your beloved vehicle.
The two main categories of car alarms available are the OEM and the after-market alarms. The OEM car alarms are the ones which are built into the car from the factory. The after-market car alarms are the ones which are installed after the car is rolled out of the assembly line. The after-markets are obviously the ones which are flashy and come with better features. Arming and disarming of the car alarms are usually done using a remote control.
In the past few years the world has becoming high tech and thus the car alarms have also evolved beyond the realms of normal imagination. A gush of technological rush has transformed the car alarm system into something really flashy fashion statement obviously with the safety and security measures. Nowadays the car alarms come with different aspects and types wherein there are typical responses to the different parts of the car, quite literally. The Power door locks, Power lock kits, Power window kits, Window conversion kits are some the latest new toys in the market right now. The use of each is evident from the names and they provide safety to particular areas of the car making the safety of the car much more sophisticated.
With the introduction of the GPS systems the car alarms have crossed all limits and safety of your vehicle is now fool-proof. It has become rather easy to spot your car on the run. With the added advantages of some features like the unsuspecting thief is allowed to drive away for a couple of miles after which the car will automatically come to a stop with the ringing of sirens have made the car alarms a must have in the car. Other important aspects like that of the electronic immobilizers that prevent ignition bypass, air horns, microwave detectors to detect slightest of movements and LED lights the car horns serve as the most effective and easy affordable way to protect your car.
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Fast And Cheap Car Insurance Is Available Online
These are reputable and competent insurance agencies that have in-depth knowledge about how to find the best rates for your particular vehicle insurance needs. If you're looking for cheap and fast car insurance, and you're tired of the hassle of shopping for auto insurance, there are some facts you should know about looking for insurance and how online agencies can help.
There are a number of different types of automobile insurance and auto related services that go with them. For instance, you might need ordinary vehicle insurance, motorcycle insurance, commercial vehicle insurance, and so on. You might also be interested in extra services like roadside assistance. With a good online agency you can find these insurance types and services at prices you can afford.
With these policies you have a choice of paying monthly premiums or paying the entire premium balance off at one time. The better an your driving record, generally speaking, the lower your premiums will be. There are some variations in insurance rates that are based solely on demographic information such as age group and the type of vehicle being driven as well. A competent online insurance agency takes all of this information into account in trying to find an inexpensive and comprehensive insurance policy for its customers.
More specialized situations that require competent online professionals to help you find the insurance you need. For instance, certain drivers are required to purchase what is called SR22 auto insurance. This type of insurance is usually assigned by judges after cases involving accidents in which one of the parties was not insured.
The uninsured party is then required to purchase SR22 insurance. This insurance type has special requirements and restrictions that allow the state to verify that an individual's insurance stays in effect without any lapses. There is some variability in SR22 policy by state, but the overall purpose is the same. The company the insured buys the policy from files a form with the Department of Motor Vehicles assuring that this type of insurance is indeed in effect.
There are some advantages to getting your insurance through an online agency rather than through an ordinary broker. Often you have to wait on the phone or for a call back while insurance agencies check their own online systems for the cheapest insurance companies and give you a quote. With online insurance this process is faster and more convenient. You can enter your information and get a quote quickly and easily.
You don't need to take a trip to an office somewhere, you can do the whole thing at home on your computer. This saves on gas and time. These agencies have fast and easy online forms that you can fill out rather than having to mail them to insurance companies.
If you are currently uninsured, you don't have to illegally drive to an insurance agency. This may not seem like too much of a risk, but there are plenty of stories about people who have been stopped on their way to an insurance agency to get their vehicle insured. This will result at least in a costly ticket and at most in getting your car towed, license suspended, and even in some cases incarceration.
Imagine not having to wait in line or in a waiting room for a representative to help and explain things to you. You can look over all the information yourself online and make a decision about what types of insurance are best. If you do get into an accident, you can file your claim with online claim forms. These are also much easier to deal with than trying to get agents on the phone and send them claims forms through the mail.
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Fusion Hoods Will Boost The Style Of Your Car
Every part of a car gets manufacturers’ close attention. None of these is ignored or neglected so far as efforts to improve it or experiment with it are concerned. For example there are car hoods whose main function is to protect the engine and the adjacent machinery from the elements. No complicated engineering is involved in making them, yet they have been studied and modified. You can now have carbon fiber hoods. Carbon fiber is a light material and so the hoods made of it are also lighter. Thereby the overall weight of the car is reduced and hauling it will need lesser power. That results in economy on fuel. Moreover the weight will be reduced over the front wheels which will give a better balance to the car. Carbon fiber hoods are lighter yet they are strong and durable. They are also able to withstand heat which is an advantage as the engine and its surroundings become quite hot.
Fusion hoods are available in a number of designs and styles. With them you can give an aggressive or any other type of look to your car and it would be a prominent feature of your car. If you so wish you can also have carbon fiber hoods painted. You can also provide a vent in the hood which will allow cool air to come in and cool the engine.
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Replacement Brake Pads - Be Nice To Your Car
You will probably be accustomed to the tires of your car wearing out and you make sure that you opt for quality new tires to replace the old tires with. And you either are sure about which tires are the best for your car and your style of driving or you do a careful study of the options available to you before deciding about the new tires. There is another component in your car that requires such attention but often gets ignored. And those are the brake pads.
Brake pads are another car component that gets rubbed against routinely as is the case with car tires. And brake pads have to generate a lot of friction as they bring to a halt a large object such as your car. And brake pads by themselves are not very large nor do they have a lot of surface area. Therefore it is the same small area that is getting rubbed again and again. It should therefore be able to withstand the heat and the wear and tear even better than the tires. This requires some special materials and the quality brake pads are made of quality materials.
Each time they are pressed against the brake rotors they produce friction and do not go soft so that you do not experience brake fade. They will improve your braking performance which will make your drive less stressful. Quality brake pads are not very expensive and give you great value for your money. Read more In Cars
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Aston Martin DBS-nya James Bond
Subaru launched the Sport model, Subaru Impreza WRX STI spec C
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. which is the manufacturer of Subaru cars, began marketing a sports hatchback Subaru Impreza WRX Spec C Cars are built with a base Subaru WRX STI - which is Subaru's iconic sports car - it is claimed more lighter, agile, and more powerful.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Spied: 2013 BMW 5-Series Hybrid
It's no secret that BMW is preparing a hybrid version of its latest generation [F10] 5-Series sedan as the Bavarian automaker teased the model at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show with the Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid study. And even though the prototype model seen in our latest spy pictures carries the 535i badge, the "Hybrid Test Vehicle" label on the boot pretty much explains everything.
Being a test mule, the prototype doesn't feature any of the (few) unique styling cues of the concept model, such as the LED strips, different front apron and special alloy wheels, but we assume these details will make it into the production car.
Underneath the body work, we expect to see a similar setup to the concept vehicle, which made use of BMW's straight-six gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo technology (same as the one found in the 535i), an eight-speed automatic transmission, and an electric drive capable of delivering up to 54HP (40kW). Given that the 3.0-liter turbo is rated in the U.S. at 300 hp, the combined system output should be around the 340 hp mark.
According to BMW, the hybrid power train reduces both fuel consumption and emissions by more than 10 per cent over the conventional version, while it also allows all-electric, zero-emission motoring at low speeds.
The production version of the 5-Series Hybrid could be introduced at a major international car show as early as next year with sales most likely to follow in 2012.
Thanks to: Autocar India
New Car: 2011 Mahindra Thar 4x4
Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the Thar, an all-new off-roader that retains the looks of the Mahindra MM540 but comes with a new chassis and loads of features. The MM540 is popular among city-dwellers as well as the army and paramilitary forces.
Available in DI and CRDe versions, the company hopes to target a new lifestyle segment with the Thar and will customise the vehicle for buyers ready to pay more.
While the CRDe 4x4 BSIV variant is priced at Rs 5.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the DI 4X2 variant is priced at Rs 4.47 lakh (ex-showroom, Jaipur).
The Thar will be launched in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Mangalore and Jaipur by end of December, and all over the country in January. Based on a chassis that is a mix of the Bolero and the Scorpio, the Thar offers 105bhp.
While the CRDe variant will be built at Mahindra’s plant in Kandivali, Mumbai, the DI variant will be built at Nashik. Company sources said that the estimated development costs were Rs 5 crore.
A customized Thar was showcased at the Mumbai launch equipped with alloys, black leather seats with red piping and a winch. According to Mahindra, customization options can cost around Rs 2 lakh over the standard variant, and all customizations will be done at dealers end.
Thanks to: Autocar India
New Car: 2012 MG 3
MG has given its new small hatchback, the MG3, a relatively low-key public debut at the Guangzhou auto show in China.
The firm's parent company, SAIC, revealed no technical information on the car. But it did give it a launch date: March 2011, ahead of the next major Chinese car show in Shanghai in April.
Styled under the co-ordination of MG’s studio in the UK, the MG3 looks like a neat production development of the Zero concept car. It's just under four metres long, 1.728m wide, and 1.517m tall; that makes it as long as a five-door Fiesta, but slightly narrower and taller.
SAIC seems keen to push the car's 'Britishness' - witness the Union Jacks displayed prominently on its stand - and personalisation, with contrasting roof colours and plenty of body stripes.
Information about just one engine spec has emerged from China; it's said to be a 1.5-litre petrol unit producing 109bhp at 6000rpm, and 99lb ft at 4500rpm, enough to get the MG3 to a top speed of 113mph. Those figures would put the car up against a 1.4 petrol Fiesta.
The other engines in the line-up are likely to be a 1.3-litre petrol, with around 67bhp, a diesel (SAIC is still in talks with potential suppliers) and a turbocharged version of the 1.5 petrol, with 156bhp.
The car is being aimed at buyers aged between 18 and 28. Top-spec models will get a CD player-based sound system, but more lowly specs are understood to offer just a USB socket and perhaps a solid-state memory-based MP3 player.
MG Motor UK has yet to even acknowledge the car's existence, let alone detail European specs or a launch date. But it's unlikely to reach UK dealers before 2012, particularly given the delays that have hit the on-sale date of its bigger brother, the MG6. Once pencilled in for a late 2010 release, it's now unlikely to reach buyers until the spring.
Thanks to: Autocar
New Car: 2011 Land Rover Discovery 4 Armoured
Thanks to: Auto Express
Spied: 2012/2013 Ford Focus EV
Thanks to: Auto Express
New Car: 2012 Nissan Sunny
Sales of luxury cars may be on the rise in China, but plenty of buyers in the country’s automotive market are still looking for simple, affordable cars. Perhaps that’s why Nissan used the 2010 China International Automobile Exhibition to show off its all-new 2011 Sunny subcompact sedan.
Although the nameplate has been used on a wide array of Nissans since the early 1970s, this is the second time the Sunny name has been tied to a compact sedan tailor-made for price-conscious, emerging automotive markets. Like the last-generation Sunny Neo, the new Sunny will be built in China by Nissan’s joint venture with Chinese firm Dongfeng, but that’s where the similarities end.
While the last Chinese-built Sunny was an evolution of Nissan’s compact Pulsar range, the new 2011 Sunny is built atop a modified version of the Micra platform. Designers have blessed the car with rather dramatic sheetmetal, which bears some resemblance to larger offerings like the Sentra and Altima. Inside, the car’s interior is largely identical to the Micra’s cabin, although the new offering receives reshaped door panels, new seat fabrics, a redesigned instrument cluster, and a different (re: simpler) radio design.
Underneath the skin, the Sunny is a mechanical clone of the Micra. MacPherson struts are fitted up front while a simple (re: low-cost) beam axle is employed in back. The only engine offering at this point is a 1.5-liter I-4, which sends power to the front wheels either via a five-speed manual gearbox or an optional CVT.
Although the Sunny will be sold in a number of different countries, production will primarily be based in the Nissan-Dongfeng plant in Guangzhou, China. Although the Micra may potentially have a future in North America, the Sunny — which carries a price tag of roughly $12,400 — will most likely remain abroad.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
New Car: 2012 Li Nian S1
Although nowhere as sophisticated as the Everus concept shown at the 2010 Beijing auto show, the S1 does allow Honda to start making further inroads into the Chinese market. While the aggressive-looking concept appeared to be based off the current Honda City (which, in turn, shares its platform with the Fit hatchback), the S1 is essentially a gussied-up version of the previous-generation City sedan, albeit with a few cosmetic tweaks.
Honda has yet to reveal any firm specifications on the car, but did note that powertrain would essentially mirror the last iteration of the City. Both 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter I-4 engines have been confirmed, although power ratings are still under wraps. Transmission offerings will likely include a five-speed manual and a five-speed automatic, although a CVT — which was previously offered in select markets — could potentially serve as another option.
According to Honda, the Li Nian S1 is aimed specifically at young Chinese buyers, many of whom are shopping for their first vehicle. As a result, we wouldn’t be surprised to see an aggressive price tag on the S1, especially since it has to counter rivals like the BYD F3 and L3. Honda hopes such a model is key to expanding its footprint in China, but we’ll know for certain come spring, when the S1 rolls into Honda showrooms across China.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
Monday, December 20, 2010
New Concept Car: Mini Paceman
This is the Mini Paceman concept, which will make its public debut at the the Detroit auto show on 10 January - the 10th anniversary of the brand’s relaunch in the USA.
Substantially based on the five-door Mini Countryman, the Paceman concept is designed as an upmarket, compact coupe and is said to be strongly placed to go into production in 2012, although the green light has not yet been given.
BMW is calling the Paceman (so named because it follows on from the Clubman and Countryman) the first ‘Sports Activity Coupe’ in the small car segment. When the Paceman goes on sale it is likely to only be available with the most powerful Mini engines. One source told us, "There’s no chance of a 'One' version of this car," and the concept is being shown with a tuned version of the John Cooper Works petrol engine, now with 212bhp and hooked up to Mini’s ALL4 permanent four-wheel drive system.
However, in keeping with the car's intended upmarket feel, the production models will probably not be highly strung, high-performance racers. The emphasis will be on accessible torque for performance that’s effortless rather than urgent.
The Paceman is based on the current Mini Countryman, using the same platform and floor structure and the same inner structure up to and including the bulkhead. The car also uses the same windscreen as the Countryman, although it's had 20mm shaved off its height. From the screen rearwards, the Paceman gets an entirely new exterior. It's 4110mm long, marginally more than the Countryman, even though the front bumper is 20mm shorter.
The car's long doors are newly designed and have allowed the Mini design team to incorporate a rising window line, which flows into the new rear wing. This further kicks up towards the roof, giving the Paceman a much wedgier and dynamic profile than its sister car. There's also a marked shoulder over the rear wheels, which pushes the rear windows of cabin inwards, giving a sportier, more coupe-like feel and emphasising the width of the car’s rear tracks.
However, outgoing Mini design boss Gert Hildebrand says that there's no loss of shoulder room in the rear cabin compared to the Countryman. Unlike most coupes, the Paceman is also set to have significant rear legroom and more than adequate headroom.
As well as the rising waistline, the Paceman has a sloping version of the Mini family’s 'capped' roof which, combined with the rising waistline, further reduces the size of the side windows, emphasising the Mini’s 'three-layer' design theme of roof, windows and bodyside. The car’s C-pillar is tinted the same colour as the glass to give the impression of complete wrap-around glazing.
However, the big break from modern Mini tradition comes at the rear of the car. The vertical shutlines and vertical sheet metal that characterise the other models in the range have been replaced by a surface that’s much softer and more flowing.
Unexpectedly, Hildebrand and his team have dumped the rule that said Mini tail-lights are vertical and surrounded on all sides with painted bodywork. The Paceman's lights are substantial and cut right across into the tailgate, resulting in a most un-Mini-like rear elevation. However, the combination the wide track, sloping roof and narrower glasshouse means the rear wheels are well outboard of side windows, and it all combine to make the Paceman look extremely purposeful from the rear.
Inside, the concept uses the same interior as the Countryman (including the elliptical door trim design) but it will have redesigned seats in quilt-stitch tan leather front and rear. The two rear seats will be individually shaped, but manufactured in one piece, very similar to the layout in the VW Scirocco. Despite the coupe styling, the front seats will continued to be mounted higher than in a conventional road car.
The concept gets some very effective exterior touches in the copper-coloured fillet on the front wing and leather trim on the door handle and filler cap. The bronze colouring is repeated on the wheel’s rims. The roof colour ‘cold white’, a white with a blueish tinge. The body colour is ‘Jaded Green’ (in the sense of the stone, rather than design team's lack of morale) and is said to be based on the colour of a 1950s Jaguar. However, the shade is also very reminiscent of the Aston Martin DB4 Zagato cars and Autocar understands that the design team did look at equipping the Paceman concept with a Zagato-style 'double-bubble' roof.
When the Paceman arrives in production form, it will be the most expensive Mini so far. Prices are likely to start from £22,000 for a front-drive version, rising to £26,000 and beyond.
Thanks to: Autocar
Saturday, December 18, 2010
New Saab Sport Sedan Concept Study’s
With his research showing that 50% of vehicles accidents are caused by carelessness, excessive speed and tailgating, Jong wanted to create a car that would warn other drivers to back off and drive with care.
Jong also mentions that the Saab Sport Sedan Concept Study’s skin is constructed of a soft, impact absorbing material that reduces pedestrian injuries and vehicle damage in collisions. He incorporate sharp edges and the colours red and yellow to further emphasises the possible danger.