Autocar Biz

Toyota - A History of the Brand

2010-09-01T09:48:00.001-07:00

Want to know more about the Toyota brand? Well this is your one-stop guide to discovering whatever you need to know about this famous Japanese car manufacturer and their history. Often shortened to TMC, the Toyota Motor Corporation specialises in creating cars as well as diversifying into the realms of robotics and biotechnology. It started life in 1937 when Kiichiro Toyoda created a new branch within his father's business, Toyota Industries after creating the Type A engine. Its first passenger car was the Toyota AA, part of the A1 passenger cars. Toyota Motor Co. was officially established as a company in its own right in 1937, despite manufacturing of the prototypes commencing as early as 1933.

It became a part of the commercial car market with the Model AA designs and began developing itself as a brand. A competition to re-brand the company led it to change 'Toyoda' to 'Toyota' with its new name deemed to be good luck. It has had the 'T' in three ovals as its logo since 1989.

Toyota continued to manufacture cars for the consumer market and in 1982 the Toyota Motor company and Toyota Motor Sales merged into the Toyota Motor Corporation. They went on to form the companies Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino Motors as separate companies. Their headquarters were moved to Toyota City, Aichi and Tokyo. The company then created a Financial Services division which takes care of its robotics research.

5 Ways To Sell A Japanese Used Vehicle

2010-09-01T09:47:00.001-07:00

Japanese cars are renowned for their quality. Some of the top used Japanese cars for sale are Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru), Suzuki and Daihatsu. Many surveys have shown that most buyers shop online in purchasing their next used car. In this article we will discuss five key points on selling your car online.

1. Surf the web

The internet has many choices on finding the right site to advertise your vehicle. Choose a website that is popular and has a high ranking. Do choose a site that specializes in your make and model. Select a site that will continuously show case your ad. And last but not least find a site that is reasonable in fees.

2. Your ad

Using correct and distinct terms to describe your car will make your ad concise. This will attract the buyer to further reading your ad. Use key phrases and solid facts. State the year, make, model, milage, and maintenance records. Mention any non-standard added features and improvements. And also be precise about the price you expect and contact details.

3. Quality Photo's

Do photograph your car in sunlight. Take different angle view shots of your car. Make sure before you photograph your car, that it is clean and washed from inside and out. Take pictures of the inside interior and any special features like tires or hub-cabs. Do have a flattering backdrop for your car when taking the pictures.

4. Inquires

Be prepared to answer questions, always keep a standard and basic list about your car on hand, near the phone and computer. Also make sure you can give out online resources to the buyer on your car. Choose specific times and dates for car viewing and showing.
If dealing with people outside your area, make sure the buyer knows it's their responsibility to pick up or make arrangements on getting the car.

5. Protecting your investment and self

Never hand over your vehicle till you are paid in full. Verify the buyer's information to make sure your not getting scammed. Find you out which method of payment is safest. Always protect your privacy, never give out more than you have to.

If you are in habit of changing to new models as brand new then I would highly recommend Japanese Makers. For more than two decades the impression of lesser safety in Japanese brands have been shifted to equally same standards as its German or American counterparts.

Factors To Consider In Purchasing A New Automobile

2010-09-01T09:46:00.001-07:00

So you want to purchase a vehicle. Good, currently there are thousands of models in the market, and some good used ones as well. I will not be focusing on the used ones however, but rather provide priceless tips when purchasing a new vehicle.

1) Budget - A no brainer. Problem is, most people are so excited about buying a new car that they never consider this factor. Of course if you're a rich kid performance and looks is important, but if you just need an affordable run-about, quality is the key. Do not despair however, there are good budget models i would recommend for a daily runabout:

a) Daihatsu Sirion 1.3 - Japanese made, it is sturdy, picks up well, has a good Fuel Consumption rate(16km/l) and parts are affordable.

b) Kia Picanto 1.1 - Do not underestimate the power of the Korean models. They have come a long way since the hyundai pony, and in terms of build quality and sturdiness, match their japanese counterparts well. Fuel consumption is an issue, however, the picanto's smaller engine gives it an edge (Fuel Consumption rate of 17km/l).

2) Country of manufacture- I am not discriminating against any particular nation here, but i do feel that vehicles manufactured out side Japan, US, Europe or Korea tend to be a bit filmsy. If possible, find out if the vehicle was manufactured outside this region. If not, you could take the risk but there are no gurantees.

3) Spare parts - Spare parts from certain make tend to be more expensive. I should know, I worked as a marketing consultant in Fiat and drove a Volkswagen. If you love the handling and feel of a continental car, go for it. Do check up on the price and availabilty of spare parts as you wouldn't want to wait 3 months for clutch replacement.

4) Loan - Another issue my customers face. A good bank will have flexible payment schemes, e.g 10% deposit and the rest on a loan. Banks with rigid payment schemes tend to be in flexible not only in downpayment, but approval and the like. I suggest a financial calculator: bankrate.com

5) Workshop/Service center - Is the workshop/service center near your area? Is there service comprehensive? Service centers have shoddy & slack administration. It would be good if you could check out their service centers 1st.

6) Some companies will sell you a showroom model at a discounted price. Accept at your own risk. Salesmen will think you are desperate if you choose a showroom model and they will try to con more money from you. I have personally seen showroom models abused by noisy kids, nasty buyers and even the salesmen

So there you have it. That's all for a new car, and i will be doing an article on how to purchase a used car soon. In the meantime, happy shopping!

Driving in a New Country or State

2010-09-01T09:45:00.001-07:00

After a move to a new country or a new state you may find driving in a new place rather stressful. Driving culture is different in all places, sometimes subtly so, and sometimes enough to fear stepping in to the car at all.

Before moving to Australia I lived in New Zealand for three years. In New Zealand it seems there is one main road which follows the edge of the entire country. This road, compared to many places in the world, is quiet and easy to find. There are times when you can drive for an hour without meeting another car. Even city driving in New Zealand is relaxed compared to many places in the world.

Arriving in Australia was therefore a bit of a shock to the system in regards to driving. Roads everywhere, going in all directions, and lots and lots of traffic. I felt nervous as a passenger and couldn't even imagine myself driving. To make matters seemingly worse our first choice of car was a little Daihatsu Charade manual that was really in need of an extra gear in order to cope with the motorways, although I must admit we were also grateful to have a car at all in which to cover such vast distances.

Once we were able to purchase another car my immediate thought was to get a big car that I could feel safe driving. So we did, we bought a big Ford Fairlane that has a limo feel to it, is big, long and heavy. At last I felt able to drive safely on the big roads and I would try not to think about parking this limo like vehicle until I arrived at my destination. I truly loved driving this car and could not imagine driving anything else; at last I felt I could cope driving on the big roads and I felt much more relaxed.

And then it happened...I adapted to my environment. While parking the Fairlane in the garage last week I struggled to get the angle right and I caught the side of the car on a post. I thought to myself "This car is just too big for everyday use, I need something smaller" and I realized I was quite happy with that thought, I was no longer worried about the roads, I was more frustrated at trying to continuously park a big car. Finally after a year I have adapted to the Australian roads and my new environment enough to feel secure about buying a smaller car, and I am quite happy to be driving the smaller car on the bigger roads.

I would like however to suggest an easier way to adapt to driving in a new country or state...Find a local driving instructor and take a few lessons. These few lessons will give you an indication of the local driving culture and you may get some good tips.

How to Get A Great Used Car Buy

2010-09-01T09:44:00.001-07:00

Whatever your used car needs, there is always an ideal car well suited for you; be it a luxury vehicle like a Mercedes Benz, BMW, Lexus, Audi, and Rolls Royce; or a sports car like Ferrari, Lamborghini, TVR, Lotus, Maserati, and Porsche; and a saloon car like Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen, Nissan, Ford, or Mitsubishi. Who knows, people who are going to drive a BMW car buy them at these UK car online dealers and you will think that they are rich and famous for owning one. In fact, you too can even afford to have one; if you want to own a car buy them at the same outlets.

For single professionals and students who have limited budget and want to save on gas for daily fuel consumption, an ideal car for them would be a smart car which is sleek and unique in design and very fuel efficient. If you too want to have that car, buy them at the same UK care sale outlets where you can get great deals for your purchase. Other great car buy offers include economical cars like Kia, Citroen, Chrysler, Daihatsu, Daewoo, Hyundai, Perodua, Peugeot, Ssangyong, Skoda, Saab, Seat, and Suzuki where you can buy them at a price lesser than £5,000.

If you have a budget higher than £5,000 but less than £10,000, then there great selections for you to choose from like Toyota Auris, Prius and Yaris; Ford Focus, Fiesta and Fusion; Honda Accord, Jazz Saloon, and Civic; Mitsubishi Lancer and Colt 2009; and Nissan 2006 Note, 2004 X-trail and 2002 Elgrand.

These selections of cars are already great buy for you as they are well discounted yet good in quality. Great car buy can always be achieved if you are only diligent enough to research well on the right car buy for you.

Hot Car Models for 2007

2010-09-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

Each year, car companies continue to surprise the public with their new cars. For this year, five car companies/brands are offering hot models.

Mazda Motor Corp. has announced two special editions for the summer season. These are the Tamura and the TS 2-based Mazda 6 Kumano.

Based on the existing TS trim, the Tamura' is available on five-door Mazda 3 1.6 and Mazda 6 2.0 hatchback petrol models. An exterior sports styling kit is an added equipment plus the savings of up to £3,126 over the equivalent TS models.

Available as a 2.0-litre petrol or diesel five-door, the TS 2-based Mazda 6 'Kumano' exudes upgraded Xenon headlamps and 'dark brushed finish' alloy wheels as well as savings of up to £555.

Both equipped with quality Mazda turbo, the two comes free with either mica or metallic paint, and are offered in limited supply. You need to spend £13,795 for the Mazda 3 Tamura and £15,995 for the Mazda 6 Tamura; the petrol version of the Kumano is worth £17,550 while the diesel costs £18,650.

Saab offers its new 9-3 with new styling cues and engines. An all-wheel drive, it also features all-new bodywork in front of the windscreen and many more other detail changes. The availability of four-wheel drive for the first time as well as the introduction of a twin-turbo diesel engine that ensures a class-leading efficiency is among the technical highlights.

The new Saab 9-3 is available as Saloon, Sport Wagon estate or Convertible and will be offered starting September with prices at £18,575 for the 1.8i petrol Airflow Saloon and £34,495 for the 2.8 V6 petrol Aero Convertible.

Honda Motor Corp. is expanding the image of its Accord range by adding the sporty GT and the entry-level SE diesels to the line-up. For September this year, the £20,767 GT will be available with Dark Graphite alloys, a boot spoiler, and other one-of-a-kind exterior trimmings that include an exclusive Premium White Pearl paint option. Further additions include sports suspension, satnav, and Bluetooth as standard equipment.

With advantages like an £18,000 price tag that includes alloys, Bluetooth phone kit and a six-speed gearbox from rivals, the SE highlights value and both cars has Honda's acclaimed 2.2-litre i-CDTi diesel engine.

Daihatsu also has something to offer starting this July: its new Materia mini MPV. It is a small five-seat people carrier that is built similarly like the Renault Modus and Vauxhall Meriva. The single trim level has alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, six-speaker CD stereo, keyless entry and a sliding/reclining 60/40-split rear seat. The metallic paint at £325 is the only factory option. Made powerful by the 1.5-litre petrol engine, the Japanese car maker claims that the car is capable of 46.3mpg combined, and emits 165g/km of CO2.

Volkswagen, for this year, offers its new Golf. The German car maker has announced pricing for the new Golf estate ahead of its launch in August. The £14,347 entry-level 1.6 S is actually £180 cheaper than the equivalent five-door 1.6 S hatchback; and these figures make the car very intriguing.

The SE and Sportline are the two other available trim levels, which feature three engine options: a 100bhp 1.6-litre petrol, a 103bhp 1.9-litre, and 138bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesels. At £20,417, one can afford to buy the range-topping 2.0 Sportline with DSG automatic gearbox and diesel particulate filter.

Air conditioning, remote central locking and electric windows are found on the S models. Extras such as alloy wheels and an alarm are featured on all SE cars while sports suspension is the addition on the Sportline trim. With the rear seats up, load space is 505 liters. But when they are folded, load space is at 1,550 liters (loaded to the roof).

You Might Be Driving "Green" Cars in the Near Future

2010-09-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

The global agony because of rising fuel prices brought about concept cars that you might be driving in a few years time. The future cars will be very efficient, clean, and will no longer need petrol.

Most manufacturers are exploring possibilities of building green cars for mass market. Trials runs are being conducted everyday for the road worthiness of concept cars. For now some of these cars are just good for the glitter in the showroom or the drawing board:

The Mazda Nagare

This concept car spreads its gull wing like doors to reveal a spacious interior for four passengers. The Mazda Nagare has exciting sleek design and features beyond the space age. The driver will be sitting in front while three passengers will be comfortable at the back. The manufacturers has never revealed the details about this car but gave a hint that it might run on a hydrogen powered engine.

GM Saab Aero X

At first glance, one will think that this car can fly because of the door less design which opted for a canopy entrance. The Saab Aero X runs on a 400HP twin turbo engine which purely runs on ethanol. The materials used for the body is also very light contributing to its fuel efficiency. Production date has not yet been revealed by GM but car lovers are definitely awaiting its release.

Daihatsu UFE III

This car runs on 203 miles per gallon powered by its 660 cc Atkinson engine and two electric motors. The aerodynamic design of the vehicle even adds to its fuel efficiency. Every car owner will definitely want a car like Daihatsu UFE in terms of saving gas and money.

Ford Airstream

The Ford Airstream maybe the family car of the future. The design pays homage to the classic trailers with the addition of fuel cells that runs for 41 miles given the equivalent of conventional fuel. The Airstream boasts of great interiors and entertainment system which a family will enjoy. Ford has no announcements of its release but the environment can definitely breathe more comfortably with this Ford on the road.

Toyota FT HS

The car runs on a 400Hp engine housed in a very sporty chassis which can be converted from a 2-seater to a 4-seater by retracting the roof. The cockpit instruments are well designed to provide the driver with a perfect view and easy control. The Toyota FT HS is now in production according to the manufacturer.

Honda FCX

This is a very cool car that may be in the production line in the near future. The features are excellent using the most advanced technologies. Biometrics is utilized to adjust the mirrors, steering wheel, and pedals. Controls for climate and audio entertainment are integrated to the steering wheel.

Chevrolet Volt

This car will be in the market by 2010 and it has been getting great reviews attributed to the E-Flex propulsion system that uses a combination of gas and electricity. A single tank of petrol can take the car for 640 miles. According to market speculators, the price of the Chevy Volt will be between $20000 and $35000.

Toyota Seals Gap With GM

2010-09-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

The Toyota Motor Corp. built more than 9 million vehicles last year for the first time. The production narrowed the gap with General Motors Corp. which has 160,000 more. This has tickled speculations among auto enthusiasts. Some are anticipating for a new auto giant reign while others detest its happening.

Toyota reported that its production output increased by 9.5 per cent in 2006 to 9.02 million vehicles despite a contraction in the Japanese market. The automaker's production includes Toyota's affiliates - Daihatsu and Hino. On the other hand, GM also reported 9.18 million vehicle productions for the same year. This figure was a slight increase from 9.05 million in 2005. As such, many analysts in the industry are expecting that GM will fall a notch lower to make way for Toyota as the new automotive leader around the globe.

Toyota expects to sell 9.34 million vehicles for 2007. The automaker also expects to sell 2.68 million vehicles in the United States alone to raise its sales by 6 per cent. "Things are going very well with Toyota, and it's likely to achieve its target for this year," said Shotaro Noguchi, an auto analyst for the Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Co. in Tokyo.

Honda, another fast-rising Japanese automaker, has reported an increase of 6.6 per cent in global output to 3.63 million vehicles. Nissan, on the other hand, overtook Honda in 2004 when the production of the latter declined by 7.7 per cent to 3.24 million vehicles.

Honda, though, is coping from its previous losses because of the brisk sales of its Civic compact in the United States and Chinas. The strong demand in overseas markets is the primary reason why Japanese automakers are creating big waves in the auto industry realm. As a fact, these automakers are struggling in their home market. It can be recalled that in 2006, Japan tripped off to third place behind China.

Cars and trucks sales in China increased by more than a third last year to 7.2 million vehicles while in Japan, vehicle sales shrank to 5.7 million. This information was divulged by J.P. Morgan investment firm. In Japan, the real growth segment is mini-vehicles that weigh half as much as traditional cars. However, when mini-vehicles are to be excluded, Japan's market totaled 3.7 million units in 2006 after an 18th consecutive monthly decline in December. "We believe earnings will remain structurally dependent on overseas sales growth in 2007," J.P. Morgan concluded.

2010-09-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

Sound familiar to you? These are the words that make up the slogan campaign of the Japanese auto manufacturer Subaru. Though the company is relatively small in size compared to its other competitors, Subaru generates quite enough of a lucrative profit for it to be recognized as among the leading industry leaders in automotive production. What else is there to expect, after all, from a company that understands the balance created by equal thought and emotion? For those at Subaru, then, constructing a line of products that run from a number of Subaru car parts or auto replacement components to tire pieces must entail high engineering performance that would ensure Subaru parts are not going to give anyone even the littlest bit of trouble, and that the designs should appeal to the tastes as well as whims of present consumers.

Such a distinction carries over to its production of trucks and car components. Think. Feel. Drive. The orientation of the slogan, at first glance, may seem to be conflicting in nature, especially when one considers the words "think" and "feel", with one side advocated by Descartes' "I think, therefore I am" and the other by Rosseau's "I feel, therefore I am." But Subaru serves to adjust the definitions this time by advocating balance between thought and emotion, between idea and sentiment. The slogan has served to capture the core of Subaru's strength as Subaru has focused its marketing and production work in turning out all-wheel drive vehicles that exhibit conventional bodies and that employ turbo-charged engines that are horizontally-opposed. Subaru's success lies mainly in its seamless adaptation to changing consumer needs and demands. In the 2000s, Subaru captured a high percentage of the U.S. market with its production of its SUV line that was smaller and lighter than the other SUVs available at that time. In short, Subaru provided consumers with a choice they didn't have before. What was wrong with the big, heavy cars? The time, back then, was starting to be characterized by a growing number of people buying and learning how to handle a car. Taking this into consideration, Subaru knew that the shifting consumer dynamics was going to affect the market, and that more and more choices had to be available to answer divergent consumer preferences. Subaru's plan, it turns out, was a success.

Still keeping an eye out for outside factors, Subaru switched to refining its line of all wheel drive autos and wagons to avoid turning into another corporate road kill under the wheels of competing Japanese automakers that had already mastered the market and would no doubt have squashed Subaru's initial forays into the niche with crushing force. This attention to the shifting cues of the market and consumer motivations have enabled Subaru to market its products, from its auto parts line or auto replacement parts row to its engines. In the 1990s, Subaru would again make its presence known as it developed rally car makes that employed the much publicized six-cylinder SVX and Impreza. With the interest in rally racing becoming more and more widespread, Subaru, maker of reliable Subaru parts, again found itself at the forefront of another niche.

Public Relations for Chinese Car Companies

2010-09-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

It seems that many US Autoworkers fear the imported Chinese Cars coming into America, but China wants to build cars, computers and build up other industries and as the capacity grows and they solve their energy issues and build plants and secure a steady stream of raw materials this will happen.

Indeed, there is little anyone can do about it, especially with the Union, Corporation infighting and the over regulation and insane number of lawsuits in the US. There are some issues however with selling Chinese Cars in the United States and that will be the public relations issues, which are at odds with many Americans.

Perhaps you will recall Daewoo, Hyundai, Daihatsu and Yugo? They all had a tough time in our US Markets. Will Chinese Brands be able to get it done? Just setting up the dealer networks may not be enough you see? DaimlerCrysler is considering putting their brand name on some Chinese made cars, but this could backfire without a very strong public relations campaign.

One thing the Chinese car companies will have going for them is that they build smaller cars which get better fuel economy and this might help them with their public relations campaigns. Although you can bet that many Americans especially union workers and US autoworkers will be fried when they start seeing Chinese cars come into our country. That is one public-relations job, which will be quite tough in promoting Chinese Cars you see? Please consider all this in 2006.

Mini Truck Parts - Find the Parts You Need With One Click

2010-09-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

Mini truck parts can many times be difficult to find depending on what your particular need may be. Most local parts stores do not stock, nor can order parts for Japanese mini trucks. That leaves many owners of these trucks spending a lot of time searching online, and making phone calls trying to find the parts they need.

If it is a part that is not frequently replaced as part of preventative maintenance such as an oil filter, air filter, brake pads, etc. The part may need to be ordered from overseas. Due to the cost of shipping and downtime while waiting for your part to arrive it is best to avoid any confusion with your order. Be sure to have all of your questions answered up front when ordering your mini truck parts. If you do happen to receive the wrong part you may still be required to pay shipping so it is very important to avoid errors when ordering. The following information can be very helpful when trying to locate the parts you need. Sometimes the information can be difficult to locate.

Vehicle Manufacturer (Name should be in several locations on truck)

Vehicle Model (If not on outside, see under passenger seat)

Vehicle Year (Usually stamped at bottom of the seat belt)

Vehicle Serial Number (Serial number under driver seat for Suzuki, Mazda, Daihatsu, & Mitsubishi; number on side passenger kick panel on Honda and Subaru mini trucks)

Vehicle Engine Number (Usually on data plate under one of seats)

Foundation Gets Cash, Thanks To Car Auction

2010-09-01T09:36:00.001-07:00

The automotive world is not just an arena where auto manufacturers and its minions of vehicles would battle it out to get the most amount of share. Plus, it is also not just a place where these contenders try to defeat everybody else by being the most popular, the most spectacular, or the most sought after. In fact, this world is not just about who gets to sell the most number of Daihatsu car parts or who gets to take home the most number of awards. You see, the auto world is not just about fame, power, and fortune.

One perfect example that the auto world also deviates from what we think it to be would be one vehicle. This vehicle is an Xtreme Subaru WRX and it was donated by the Santa Monica Subaru arm. Later on, it was customized by Al and Ed's Autosound. What is quite so interesting about this one is that this Xtreme Suabru WRX was auctioned off and all of the proceeds were actually given to children who were struck with life threatening medical diseases in the Los Angeles area. It was the Make A Wish Foundation which made sure that the money went to the right recipients.

So who bought the vehicle? It was Leon Rotella who had become the highest bidder for the customized Xtreme Subaru WRX. During a special event, the Make A Wish Foundation would be handing over the keys to Rotella. And in exchange, the organization would be receiving a check from the highest bidder plus it would also be receiving a check from three groups - Al & Ed's Autosound, the Subaru arm in Santa Monica, and Free-FM.

The Xtreme Subaru WRX was auctioned off online and Rotella was the highest bidder when he offered $26,000 for the whole machine. It was actually just right for Rotella when he did mention that while he was thinking of purchasing the vehicle, his thoughts were that the proceeds would all be benefiting those who really do need the money most - children who were struck down with diseases.

You can catch the event on the 30th of November at the LA Auto Show.

Should We Turn Japanese to Lower Our Car Insurance?

2010-09-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

apanese manufacturers have always been noted for producing dependable motor vehicles, however, now that they have swept the board in the UK's largest ever car reliability survey should we all be switching to Hondas, Toyotas and the like to lower our car insurance premiums?

It's well known that the more conventional and reliable the car, the lower car insurance premiums tend to be. According to the Which? survey, it doesn't get any more reliable than Japanese cars with Honda topping the reliability index at 85 percent, Toyota in second with 84 per cent, while Daihatsu, Lexus, Mazda, Subaru and Suzuki all tied with 83 percent.

Perhaps to the surprise of many who deem Germans traditionally the producers of the most dependable vehicles, the Audi, Mercedes Benz and BMW marques all produced average scores while Volkswagen was rated as poor.

So with finances tight should we switch to a Japanese car to save money on our car insurance?

The answer is - not necessarily. Car insurance companies will take into account the insurance group rating, power and performance of a vehicle, as well as any modifications. A Nissan 350Z, for example, will cost more to insure than a Ford Fiesta. So really, it all depends on the vehicle.

Another point is that Toyota and Honda are leading the way in the manufacturing of 'green cars' - the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic IMA are the top-selling hybrids in the world. However, whereas these vehicles can secure significant savings at the pump this isn't relatable to car insurance where you'll actually pay extra due to enhanced repair costs.

Electric Car Travels More Than 1,000 Kilometers on a Single Charge

2010-09-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

A specially converted electric-powered Daihatsu Mira has beaten its own long-distance record, traveling 1,003.18 km, or about 624 miles, in Japan, reports Alternative Energy News this week.

While the vehicle traveled at the relatively sluggish speed of about 25 mph for about 27.5 hours to reach the distance, the accomplishment is a rather remarkable move forward for battery-powered technology. The Mira EV used 8,320 cylindrical Sanyo lithium-ion 18650 batteries, typically used in laptops. Ecofriend.org reports a team of drivers from Tokyo-based Japan Electric Vehicle Club pulled off the feat in the club-created mini-car in Ibaraki, Japan from May 22 to May 23.

"Mira EV has created a feat worthy enough to be recorded in Guinness World Record now, by traveling 1,000 km on a single charge," Alternative Energy said.

And Sanyo said it "continues to improve its lithium-ion battery technology as it contributes to realizing a low carbon society."

Wired.com put the accomplishment in perspective. "We found the 18650 on eBay for $6.75 each, which means the price tag on the conversion must have topped $55,000. Considering the record-breaking run had an average speed of 30 miles an hour and required a ton of work to convert an existing car, we offer our congratulations to the Japan EV Club, but - if given the choice - would probably rather deal with the hassle of recharging a Tesla every 313 miles."

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean and alternative energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.

How to Choose the Right Vauxhall Van For Your Needs

2010-09-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

The car market may be slow to get back on its feet, but the job market seems to be seeing 'green shoots of recovery.' This should mean that soon the car market should be thriving again and the man with a van will become a more common sight.

Regarding choosing the right van if you're a decision-maker, here is a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best vehicle for your purposes.

What will you use it for?

- City driving
- Long haul (mostly motorways)
- Large loads
- Off-road
- Transporting colleagues

For each of these uses, you would require a different type of van depending on the nature of your business.

City Driving
The Corsavan is perfect for city driving. It's as small as a normal corsa therefore easy to park in towns where space is somewhat limited. Interestingly enough, it is rather spacious inside so it will comfortably fit two fully grown men in the seats. Exceptionally taller drivers (6ft 4" tall +) may disagree with this statement.

Fuel efficiency is often a problem for city vehicles as constant gear changes and stopping and starting is not great for fuel consumption. If this is an issue, it is helpful to know that car-derived vans such as the Corsavan are well suited to such driving. The clutch and gearbox are likely to wear quickly from lots of gear changes that is unfortunately necessary with city driving. It is advisable that drivers be alert to changes in these parts that may signal that they may soon require replacing. Corsavans are not suitable for delivering bulky or heavy items but they're perfect for moving small loads or for tradesmen working on smaller jobs and typically attracts favourable reviews.

Alternatives include the Daihatsu Hijet or the Piaggo Porter although they are poor alternatives as they are more like small trucks rather than vehicles designed for running around town. Radio stations have chosen Corsavans for their out and about vehicles as they are small, nippy and surprisingly spacious. If you need more space, the Astravan is a larger alternative but not an equivalent due to the vehicle not being small enough to be described as a city car.

Long Haul
In fact, the Astravan is more suitable for long haul journeys than it is going around the city due to the length of the vehicle making it harder to park in crowded city centres but owners of these vans will happily admit that they would choose an Astravan again and again. Not only is it complimented for having a comfortable cab that is on par with the typical domestic vehicle, it handles well and is cost-efficient. The 2009 Astra which the Astravan is based on has fantastic NCAP safety results for an adult which is a big bonus although the pre-2009 models received very respectable ratings. Still, if you are transporting smaller goods across the country, the Astravan is the sensible choice for fuel economy but realistically, a bigger van may be needed for the job. In which case, the next step up is the Vauxhall Vivaro.

Unfortunately, the Vivaro has attracted less glowing reviews compared to the smaller Astravan. Main faults appear to be a weak gearbox and various other complaints relating to bearings on older models. Yet, the Vivaro has won the top award for 'Best Medium Van' seven times since 2001 in the Van Fleet World Awards which is an impressive feat which could indicate that only a vocal minority have experienced real problems. Often hailed as roomy and comfortable, the Vivaro does appear to be a great contender for long drives when you require space. Reviewers report that the engine can be rather noisy but quietens down once fifth gear is selected which suggests that the vehicle was intended for motorway use.

However, if you are planning on hiring a vehicle like the Vauxhall Vivaro, please check your driving licence. Drivers who passed their test before January 1997 are entitled to drive this vehicle but drivers who have passed their test since January 1997 need to pass an extra test to add the C1 classification to their licence. The Vivaro and its bigger brother, the Movano both are capable of carrying large loads but very large loads should be left to specialist fleets e.g. HGVs.

Off Road
If you are intending to do a lot of agricultural work or mostly operate in the country, the Vauxhall Frontera is a good choice. For those who do not have deep enough pockets to cover the purchase of a Jeep or Land Rover, the Vauxhall Frontera is a sensible and logical choice. Vauxhall have not made the Frontera since 2004, but second hand models are available for good 4X4 entry level vehicle. The cab is set lower than traditional 4X4s which gives it reasonable side protection. Unfortunately, the 2002 model that was tested by Euro NCAP described pedestrian safety as "dire" and that child occupant safety was questionable. Adults fared better but driver safety was impaired with front passenger results being marginally better. 2003 models are often recommended. Similar vehicles for similar money would be up to five years older for the same money but alternatives include the Mitsubishi Shogun and the Ford Maverick.

Transporting Colleagues
If you work with one other colleague, any of the aforementioned vans are suitable for two people, possibly with the exception of the Corsavan for two exceptionally taller occupants. The Vauxhall Movano seats 3 passengers and similar vehicles include the Ford Transit and the Mercedes Sprinter.

Other questions you need to consider:

- How much can you afford? Businesses have been known to collapse due to unwise vehicle choices which also include road tax, servicing and insurance.
- How long do you expect to keep it? If you only need a van for a short term, it may be best to consider rental as you will not have to cover the cost of depreciation or servicing etc.
- Will the van be used for towing? In which case the Frontera or the Vivaro/Movano are the better choices but may require extra classifications being added to your driving licence.
- How much time will be spent in the vehicle? If you are intending to drive the vehicle for many hours then comfort should be a big consideration.

Golf Carts- Not Just For Golfers Anymore

2010-09-01T09:31:00.001-07:00

According to new research, more than 60% of cars in the USA North America travel less than 15 miles per day and nearly half of drivers travel less than five miles away from home. With gas prices climbing higher every day and air being polluted with gas emissions, a golf car is the most environmentally friendly vehicle out there. With all the golf cart accessories available, golf carts can become one of the most stylish and eco-friendly vehicles on the road.

Golf carts are widely used in university campuses where they transport people, goods and equipment, and are even used in cases of medical emergencies. They are also used in quiet neighborhoods, at large sports events by the personnel, and of course, on golf courses by golfers. Many golf carts are purchased by disabled people who appreciate the higher speed and safety of golf carts compared to those of power wheelchairs.

Driving a golf cart is extremely economic. It costs around one cent per ten miles to operate an electric golf cart. It's also ten times cheaper to maintain and repair a golf cart than a car. However, not many automotive giants readily leap into the golf cart market, claiming that there is currently no demand for golf carts.

Still, more and more neighborhoods, especially in resort areas or those surrounded by golf courses, switch to golf carts to access malls, movie theaters, schools and restaurants without having to ride on the highway. In university campuses golf carts can be used only on designated streets and paths. Golf carts, as neighborhood electric vehicles with a proper license can travel on roads with posted speed limit of 35 mph.

Golf carts were introduced in the 1950s and later became popular thanks to golf visionaries such as Billy Dolan. With golf carts, golf greatly evolved as a game. Smaller, more efficient and nicely designed golf carts with cute stylish accessories such as custom wheels and seats, lift kits and even programmable speed controls, golf carts are becoming safer each year.

As a vehicle, golf carts can have three or four wheels. They can be powered by electric or internal combustion motors. The most famous golf carts manufacturers include Cushman, Club Car, Daihatsu, and many more.

Among the most popular golf cart accessories today are lift kits that add clearance to the golf cart which help with accessing rocky places and bumpy roads. Many lift kits include off-road tires that can be used on the golf cart making it a rough little off-road beast.

Another popular golf cart accessory that is in huge demand in colder seasons is a rain curtain. These curtains can be snapped to the car frame to sit permanently on the car body, or they can be clipped to the car with hooks and removed in warmer seasons.

Many golf cart accessories basically do nothing except add some flare. Racing-style aluminum pedal kits, graphic and even 3D camouflage, custom steering wheels will add a stylish touch to any golf cart.

Golf carts are slowly spreading beyond student campuses, golf resorts and retirement communities. Well-designed and safe golf carts may soon be as common on city streets as scooters and bikes.

Japanese Cars - Sporty and Sleek

2010-09-01T09:30:00.001-07:00

If you are thinking of a car that is sleek, sporty, luxurious or cheap then the right choice is to look for a Japanese car model. Japanese cars are the highest selling cars in the world and are very much in demand. If you are looking for the looks then you can find the most beautiful looking cars and if your main concern is the safety then also these cars are amongst the best available cars in the world.

There are different Japanese car manufacturers and amongst the top producers are Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Mazda, Lexus, Subaru, Isuzu, and Daihatsu. Amongst all these car manufacturers, Toyota is on the top of the highest car seller list in Japan. It is not far behind if we take the statistics from the world, as Toyota is rated as the second largest car manufacturer in the world. General Motors is in the top slot for the number one car company in the world. Ford is not far behind from Toyota and few months' back only Ford sales were ahead of Toyota's. In Japan, Honda and Nissan are also close competitors of Toyota.

Recently Honda Accord was rated as the best selling car in North America. Honda is another very popular company in Japan and is known for its quality. Japanese cars can be easily imported almost anywhere in the world, as the Japanese government has simplified the exporting laws in order to promote their cars. The Japanese cars are the most fuel-efficient cars and the best of facilities available for comfort as well as for safety. Features such as top-notch sound systems, GPS, TV, cameras etc. are now part of the options available on many of these Japanese car models. Most of the Japanese cars if compared to the similar bracket car models are very light in weight and there is even a special group of cars in Japan known as k-cars derived from the word "Kei" that means lightweight. Generally such cars do not exceed 660 cc and are quite popular in Japanese market. These k-cars are available in 5 seater models as well as 2 seater sports models.

Demand of new Japanese cars is on a rise and if we have a look at the demand of used Japanese cars then one would be astonished to see the figures. Recently the car dealers in Asian countries are looking for a lot of small cars less than 1000cc. There is a huge customer base in Asia for Japanese cars, since these cars have a very good design and the condition of these used cars are pretty good. Most of the Japanese car owners get their cars serviced well in time and also keep their cars immaculate. Reports say that the production time spent on each vehicle by the top three Japanese car companies is far less than the production time compared to the top three American companies. Nissan is the fastest in the production time and takes almost 17.25 hours to produce one car where as Honda takes 20.65 hours and Toyota takes 20.69 hours. The American companies take on an average almost 5.5 + hours more than these Japanese car manufacturers. So, one can very well imagine the amount of production taking place for these Japanese cars is greater.

Many Japanese car companies manufacture their cars here in America. Therefore you're not exporting american jobs by buying many Japanese cars, while by shopping at Wal-Mart or other big chains you are.

Electric Car Travels More Than 1,000 Kilometers on a Single Charge

2010-09-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

21 Reasons for Exporting a Used Car from Japan

2010-09-01T09:27:00.001-07:00

Introduction

There has never been a better time to import a used car from Japan and save big dollars. Exports from Japan have been steadily increasing for the last three years as more and more dealers, wholesalers and private buyers around the world realize this great opportunity.

Reason #1: Wide product range: Due to the very competitive domestic Japanese car market, there are an abundance of models and manufacturers in Japan manufacturers including Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru), Suzuki and Daihatsu.

Reason #2: K-class Mini Cars: This is a new type of car which has been created in Japan to address Environmental concerns, demand for fuel efficiency and the general the lack of space on Japanese roads. All K-class vehicles meet a specification which restricts the weight, engine displacement (maximum of 660cc) and exterior dimensions. K cars have excellent cost performance are in growing demand around the world.

Reason #3: Excellent Japanese road conditions: Despite the lack of space, Japanese roads are extremely well maintained meaning normal wear and tear which might be attributed to poor road conditions in other countries is not a problem in Japan.

Reason #4: Average vehicle age: The average age of all vehicles on Japanese roads is almost sure to be lower than most other countries. It is unusual to see cars older than 15 years on the roads at all. The Japan Automotive Manufacturers Association (JAMA) reports average vehicle age to be approximately 5.8 years.

Reason #5: Higher model specifications: Due to an abundance of models from each manufacturer and the Japanese penchant for new electronic and other gadgetry, the specifications of a Japanese vehicle produced for the domestic market will usually be much higher than foreign-produced equivalents. This means you can buy a Japanese export model with all the features you like for the same price as a base model bought domestically.

Reason #6: Low mileage: Most Japanese live in cities which lack space and are very dense in terms of population. Since everything necessary to live a comfortable life is within close reach for the typical Japanese, domestic drivers average mileage is typically less than half that of other countries. The Japanese Motor Vehicle Inspection Registration Association reports average mileage for Japanese domestic drivers to be around 9,000km annually. American drivers, on the other hand, drive and average of 19,000 kms each year.

Reason #7: Relative cost: Even after taking into account costs such as freight and local compliance it is almost always cheaper to import a used car from Japan than to buy an equivalent used car locally. There are several reasons for Japanese exports being so cheap, primary amongst them is the mandatory Japanese vehicle safety inspections which effectively increase the cost of ownership as the vehicle ages.

Reason #8: Excellent resale value: Japanese cars, particularly Toyota and Lexus, generally hold much more of their value over the lifetime of the product than foreign counterparts such as Ford and GM.

Reason #9: Highly efficient automated auction systems: Instead of purchasing from private sellers or through local used car dealers whose reputation and business practices may be circumspect, used Japanese cars may be purchased at wholesale prices through very efficient auction houses run by Toyota, Nissan and other reputable companies. Each vehicle placed into an auction is photographed, inspected and graded and this information is useful, accurate and available to potential buyers.

Reason #10: No need to deal with sleazy local used car salesmen: It is an unfortunate fact that the used car industry around the world has the reputation of being filled with unsavory types who deceive and lie in order to gouge their customers on every deal. Whether this is true or not, buying a Japanese export car removes the need to deal with these individuals at all.

Reason #11: Japanese cultural habit of always buying new: Typical Japanese drivers are loathe to buy a car that someone else has used, regardless of the value proposition inherent in doing so. Thus Japanese customarily purchase new cars every 5-7 years, creating a pool of high quality, low mileage, high-spec used cars ready for resale around the world.

Reason #12: No need to waste time and money with private sellers: It is well know that buying a used car from a private seller is sometimes a good way to find a bargain, but this kind of purchase may be quite risky for a buyer who is not mechanically inclined. It can also be very time consuming dealing with private sellers, trying to schedule meetings and test drives and traveling around town to inspect vehicles which are often not as advertised. .

Reason #13: Abundance of Japan-based used car exporters and specialists: Since Japan represents the second largest vehicle manufacturing country in the world and the number of exports from Japan are growing every year there are many exporters and specialists who can assist you in sourcing and exporting your car. Due to the number of people vying for your business you can choose an exporter that you like and gain very competitive pricing as well.

Reason #14: Japanese safety regulations: The Japanese roadworthy testing system is a positive for two reasons: (1) All Japanese vehicles are subjected to exhaustive bi-annual testing and mechanical checks to ensure they are well maintained and (2) gaining roadworthy (called Shaken in Japan) usually costs a lot, artificially inflating the ongoing running costs year by year as the car gets older. The latter is one of the primary reasons Japanese drivers trade up to a new car so quickly and so often.

Reason #15: Increasing shipping capacity and shipment options: Many vehicle transportation companies are increasing their capacity to freight both new and used vehicles from Japan due to growth in this market. For individuals wishing to purchase 2-4 cars at a time shipment by container is also an option which may be faster, more secure and possibly cheaper depending upon the destination port.

Reason #16: Availability of objective information: On the internet today there are many automotive review sites dedicated to the provision of accurate, timely and objective data for all types of Japanese cars. It is no longer necessary for individual buyers to rely on salespeople or manufacturer marketing literature to gain an accurate understanding of specifications, prices and vehicle conditions prior to purchase.

Reason #17: Auction assessments and evaluations: Every auto auction house in Japan performs mechanical tests and assessments by trained technicians prior to entry of the vehicle at auction. These evaluations are very detailed and accurate and include all pertinent information along with grading for the exterior and interior of the vehicle.

Reason #18: Flexible payment terms: While most exporters prefer to be paid via telegraphic transfer, credit card/paypal payments and payments via letter of credit are becoming more common. Most exporters are open to alternative payment methods and the foreign buyer may also consider escrow services if hesitant about sending large sums of money abroad for the first time.

Reason #19: No need to speak Japanese: Due to the huge market which has developed in used Japanese car exports there are many people from many different nations involved in this business. Buyers from Pakistan can communicate with exporters in Urdu. Buyers from Russia can speak in local dialects with Japanese exporters in Northern states, where Russian speakers are common. Almost every Japan-based exporter speaks English too. You do not need to worry about communication problems.

Reason #20: Availability of parts: While Japanese domestic models are usually higher spec than their foreign-manufactured equivalents the fact that so many Japanese manufacturing plants exist around the world mean that common parts for popular vehicles are likely to be available cheaply in local markets. In the event that a part is not available domestically, there are many parts specialists who can help in locating a required part.

Reason #21: Trucks, buses ands machinery also available: While used cars are currently the most popular automotive export, sourcing of buses, trucks and machinery is also becoming more common. Japanese trucks are mostly purpose-built, while those manufactured in other countries are not. Thus it is possible to obtain the perfect truck for the job at hand by exporting it from Japan. Once again, the quality and value of these items exceeds what could normally be attained locally.

State of the Auto Industry - What Car Makers Are Doing to Survive

2010-09-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Lest you think that America's automakers are the only ones struggling these days, you'd be missing something that is quite apparent: the global auto industry is in the doldrums with some manufacturers struggling just to survive.

As in any crisis, car companies are figuring out ways to weather the slump, brought on by a worldwide recession that has plunged demand for new vehicles. Excess car capacity needs to be cut in order to realign with demand and there are a number of different ways that automakers are responding to this challenge.

Let's take a look at some of the key changes being introduced by select automakers in a bid to stem the slide:

Volkswagen: One of the few companies actually selling more cars in 2008 then they were in 2007, Volkswagen is treading carefully as it looks to expand capacity. A new plant is being planned for the US, but the automaker is weighing which vehicles will be built in Tennessee in a bid to have the right cars for the highly competitive US market.

Toyota: The world's top automaker is feeling the heat from slow sales and is planning to export its big Tundra truck and equally big Sequoia sport/utility vehicle to other markets where demand remains strong. To their credit, Toyota is loathe to lay off permanent workers, but they've released hundreds of temporary employees to match production cut backs.

Nissan: Thanks to its unique business relationship with French automaker Renault, Nissan can spread some of their costs across another automaker's bottom line. Nissan and Renault are examining making an investment in Chrysler, a company Nissan already builds a compact car for in Latin America with other production sharing agreements coming online.

BMW, Mercedes: These German arch-rivals have been sizing each other up for decades. Now, the two premium automakers are looking to share engine and transmission technology as well as purchasing automotive components jointly in a bid to realize additional savings.

Japan: With more automakers than any country in the world, Japan's nine car companies understand one thing: your competitor is sometimes your producer. Japan has long been tolerant in allowing its car companies to work together even as they remain separate. True, Toyota now owns Daihatsu outright and has stakes in Suzuki and Subaru, but every automaker often shares models in a bid to fill out model lines and to combine costs. The rest of the world should take its cue from Japan.

Whether General Motors is successful in its bid to purchase Chrysler or not, the automaker will continue to work on its alliances with Ford while Ford itself will keep its Mazda relationship alive.

Once the current economic climate improves, look for automakers to continue to maintain their new business relationships to ensure that they remain competitive for the long haul. No one can afford to go it alone no matter how strong their bottom line may be. Fortunes can change overnight, creating a crisis that can quickly envelope any manufacturer.

Some Properties Related to the Valve

2010-09-01T09:23:00.001-07:00

It is pleasant to see that the development of the valve industry has been bringing in benefits to all aspects. And it is appreciated to choose a proper one to make good use of it. Generally speaking, there are some properties that should be kept in mind while selecting the required valve. So, what are the major properties when people manufacture or select the valve?

Firstly, the seal performance should be taken into account which refers to the ability to prevent the leakage. It is important. Otherwise, the leakage would lead the machine to fail to work, even lead to some industrial accidents. Especially, there are three points that need much more attention. They are the attachment between the opening and closing device and the two seal surfaces of the valve seat, the space between the valve stem and stuffing and the joint between the valve body and the valve cover. The previous one would influence the ability of cutting off the medium and the latter two ones would cause the industrial pollution or some worse consequences. No matter what, the seal performance rises to be important when evaluating and selecting the valve.

And as we all know that the valve is used to control the medium, the effects caused by the medium need our attention. When the medium comes across the valve, the resistance would occur. Then, the medium would consume the energy more or less to overcome the resistance. As a result, a better valve should take this factor into consideration to reduce the resistance as much as possible.

Then, the force which is also needed to open or close the valve should be driven attention to. The force is expected to endure the pressure caused by the sealing surfaces and the resistance caused valve stem and the stuffing and other attachments. And it should be mentioned that the force is changeable when opening and closing the device. To reduce the moment would be a good choice. And the speed to open and close the valve should be designed according to the specific specifications.

A Drive Through Roads With The 2007 Suzuki SX4

2010-09-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

Made to be a contender for vehicles with the likes of the Ford Ecosport, Chevrolet HHR, VW CrossPolo, and the Honda Element, the Suzuki SX4 has surely a lot of things to offer. Production of this vehicle just started this year and it has been created as a mini sport utility vehicle. It is a hatchback and has four engine choices - the 1.5 liter DOHC I4, the 1.6 liter DOHC I4, the 2.0 liter DOHC I4, and the 1.9 liter turbo diesel I4 engine. And giving this vehicle an edge in with its competition is that it has been designed by Italdesign, the famous and tested designer of vehicles.

The power of the 2007 Suzuki SX4 can be considered as quite something for a new entrant. In fact, its engine can even produce up to 143 horsepower plus some 136 pound feet of torque. Compared to some of its competition, the 2007 Suzuki SX4 even performs well in this aspect. And as per its fuel efficiency, take note that this vehicle can perform up to 25 mpg in the city and 30 for the highway. It can even transport both people and cargo conveniently. After all it has some 22 cubic feet of space. But you do need to keep the rear seats folded to be able to accomplish this.

Husqvarna Mower Uses

2010-09-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

Husqvarna has a wide array of lawn mowers built to meet the demands of lawn junkies and resolve emerging concerns on landscaping. Husqvarna mowers are categorized according to the amount of work needed and with the frequency of usage. Using these factors, Husqvarna mowers are divided into three main groups.

Professional Use

Husqvarna offers mower types dedicated to extreme duty for daily use. These mowers are adequate for pro foresters, arborists, land clearing, landscapers, construction crews and other users who demand the ultimate professional performance.

Lawdowners

These group of mowers are engineered for extreme work and occasional demanding use. Usually farmers and ranchers go with these types of mowers. Large residential property owners would also like to get one of these machines.

Homeowner

These line of mowers are primarily for lawn junkies who spend the rest of their day working their lawns. Also for, residential property owners and others who seek reliable proven performance and quality.

Husqvarna mowers are equipped with engines manufactured by Honda, Kawasaki, Kohler, and Daihatsu. The company makes it a point that their tools are competitive by only using trusted and dependable parts. Common features of Husqvarna mowers are its high rear wheels, AutoWalk(TM) self-propelled systems, adjustable cutting heights and mulching options. The Husqvarna 64 classic reel for instance has no engine emission, no fuel and can clear tall grass. The heavy duty Husqvarna walk behind mowers are made to tolerate extreme weather cast aluminum decks, steel decks, Advanced Cutting System (ACS) floating decks, QuickLift decks, and commercial engines with spin-off filters.

Other types are Husqvarna mowing tractors and zero turn models that utilizes the same quality of engines and cutting systems. Lastly, Husqvarna Auto Mowers have integrated robotics sytem to perform tasks like mowing, clearing and other many functions. In conclusion, the best thing about each Husqvarna lawn mower is they can fit any types of lawn jobs and landscaping for individual needs.

The durability of Husqvarna Mower is something to expect as the company make sure its history is not something to be taken lightly. Husqvarna Mowers are designed to be outside around the clock and functions unattented regardless of the weather. These machines are perfect for semi-pros, farmers/ranchers, large residential property owners and other demanding users who require high performance.

In conclusion, the Husqvarna machines and power tools offers everything to let you master your great outdoors. If you are a yard junky or if landscaping is a hobby you can't get enough with, then you got to have one of these neat tools.

Who's Driving Your Car?

2010-09-01T09:18:00.000-07:00

Who’s driving whom?

In the early 1900’s, there were over 2000 manufacturers making cars, over 1500 of these in the USA alone. Now, there are only 39 brands of vehicle which you can buy. Of these, 30 of them are controlled by just nine players. Six companies maintain some form of independence: Honda, Hyundai-Kia, Rover-MG, Proton-Lotus, Porsche and Morgan. Honda and Hyundai sell millions of units, the others are responsible for a comparative handful of sales. Therefore, we have just 12 companies who are responsible for the look and feel of the entire world automotive industry. No wonder my car looks the same as 100 others!

The great American Ford empire now controls the European Volvo and British Jaguar; General Motors Holden has links with Fiat, Subaru and Saab; Fiat in turn, controls Ferrari, Lancia and Maserati; Mercedes & (Daimler)Chrysler now own Mitsubishi; The ‘old commoner’ Volkswagon now controls the more prestigious Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini; BMW owns the almost opposite ends of the spectrum, Mini and Rolls Royce. Toyota has invested heavily into Daihatsu; Nissan has merged with Renault.

In the next few years, it is expected that further mergers and buyouts will occur, leaving perhaps five or six mega-corporations to decide what the world will drive. If you think that it is confusing now that we can buy Lexus, Lexcens and Nexus, or drive Barinas, Berlinas and Berninas… If you already think that it is getting hard to tell whether a car is a Falcon, a Commodore or a Toyota… just wait, things may get even more uniform…

In a few years, it may be possible to have everyone in your family driving a car with a different badge on it, (for example, Jaguar, GM, VW, Mercedes, Subaru and Mini) and yet find that the cash you pay out all goes to the one ultimate recipient company. (See Invest News #33 “Who’s Taking Your Money”, issued December 2004 for even more jaw-dropping revelations. Online at [http://www.invest.org.au/news] or ask me for a paper or email copy.)

Who drives the cars that drive us?

In the early days of motoring in the US, the Rockefellers controlled the Standard Oil trust. A few other companies, including Texaco and Gulf, were backed by the Mellons, Morgans and Vanderbilts. European capitalists rushed to develop their own oil industry, out of which came Royal Dutch, Shell, British Petroleum (BP), and the Petroleum Company of France (CFP), which eventually became Total.

Dozens of oil companies battled it out for most of the century; one by one they were defeated or absorbed by larger ones. The five super majors which today dominate the oil industry are the result of mergers that swept the oil industry starting just a few years ago.

In 1998, 12 already enormous oil companies combined to form five. Exxon (who owned Esso, Rockefeller’s “SO” or “Standard Oil”) merged with Mobil; then Chevron, which had already bought up Gulf and Caltex, merged with Texaco; Shell & Royal Dutch combined, BP bought out Amoco, Marathon and Arc; Total merged with Elf and Fina.

Watch the five, focus on one or two

Even if you only own shares in Telstra, it makes sense to keep an eye on what Optus, Vodafone or Virgin are doing. Are their deals better? Are their profits higher? Will their new marketing campaign mean that Telstra sales will suffer? Will bad publicity about the National Bank make my Commonwealth stocks worth more? Think about it. Now, back to oils and cars…

Exxon/Mobil Exxon is the largest company of any kind in the world as measured by sales, which totalled US$242 billion in 2003. That is more than the budget revenue of 185 nations, including Brazil, Canada, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands. In 2003, the five biggest oil companies operating in the U.S. (ExxonMobil, Chevron-Texaco, ConocoPhillips, BP and Royal Dutch/Shell) made US$53 billion in net profits. Almost half of this profit was made by Exxon alone. Last year, Exxon produced US$21.5 billion in profits.

The five biggest auto companies in the world (GM, Chrysler, Ford, Toyota and Volkswagen) produced only US$15 billion in profits – combined. Twenty one billion… hmmm, that’s a lot of money… That’s a lot of profit. How do they spend it all? Feeding the world? Saving the whales? Or diversifying into other areas to make yet more profits?

Exxon has been granted over 10 000 US patents for new inventions in the last ten years alone. They also own the chain of “On The Run” convenience stores, and ‘smart-card’ technology based “Speedpass”, a system which enables you to pay for food and fuel by waving your key-ring in front of a service station scanner. You can actually fill your belly, fill your tank and pay for the purchases, with one company making money on all three transactions.

The Basics of Classic Car Maintenance - Fluids

2010-09-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

As a start we will consider petrol and diesel, apart from the obvious that you have enough for your journey it is worth checking the whole fuel system at least once a year, diesel because it has a habit of finding paths and holes that most other fluids don't and petrol because if it does leak, a hot surface or spark can cause an explosion, I know I have been there with leaky carburettors dripping onto the exhaust pipe.

First check the fuel tank, invariably in old cars it is made from pressed steel and is subject to corrosion especially where straps or fixings are. Give it a good look over for any bubbles or spots that look damp/dark and check to see if the fuel gauge moves much at regular intervals when the car is parked up. Next check the pipework, again many cars had steel pipes with later replacements being copper or plastic (plastic being particularly vulnerable from hot exhaust pipes as many manufactures ran the two pipes close to each other!)

Hopefully someone will have fitted a petrol filter under the bonnet to stop any debris or rust reaching and blocking the carburettors. Looking at this will help to indicate any corrosion from the tank and pipework that maybe present, so replace it following any repairs to these to give you a clean slate. For diesels the fuel filter will not be transparent but is likely to resemble an oil filter.

Also check the fuel pump for operation (easier if it is electric) by connecting an alternative outlet hose to a petrol can, caution here as you are combining electricity and flammable vapour, and see that the pump keeps running with the ignition on.

And finally with the ignition on/or engine started and switched off check the carburettor(s) for any damp/dark patches particularly around where the fuel pipes join the carbs. Alternatively check the injector pump and interconnecting pipework to and from the injectors on the cylinder head.

As standard advice it is always essential to check the cooling water level but there are other things to check for. It is worth noting that it is not so important if you over fill the cooling system as the water level should adjust itself and find a natural level. While you have the radiator or filler cap off the car it is worth considering the colour. Good clean cooling water should appear slightly green or blue from the anti-freeze and corrosion inhibitor.

If the water is brown this means that there is corrosion or rust in the system, a certain amount is to be expected as this happens as a matter of course. If the water is very cloudy or you are unsure it may be worth draining the water, flushing it through and refilling with new water and anti-freeze. This should be checked again after a few days or 50 miles or so to see if the problem has been rectified.

If the water has an oily sheen or rainbow this should be investigated further as it may be bad news. Sometimes it is just the natural oils from the various components that leach out when they are new, such as lubricants that are used in pumps or from sealants if used. However it maybe a signal that there is a more serious problem and the engine lubricating oil is getting into the cooling system and a major engine failure may not be too far away, hopefully your engine oil checks should help indicate this.

Will the Global Auto Industry Consolidate?

2010-09-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

The global automotive industry is going through some big changes with some manufacturers merging while others are forging important alliances.

Getting Together

In 2009, Fiat acquired a stake in bankrupt Chrysler while Toyota continues to hold shares of Daihatsu, Subaru and Mazda. Recently, Daimler agreed to form a small car alliance with Renault-Nissan, itself a Franco-Nippon agreement hatched in 1999. Spyker now owns Saab while China's Geely Automotive is acquiring Volvo.

What on earth is going on with the car industry?

Consolidation is the word as rapidly shifting consumer demand, stressed out economies and too much capacity weigh in. And don't think for a moment that this trend will abate. Likely, we'll be hearing of additional mergers, acquisitions and alliances formed in a bid to help companies profit from these changes.

Marchionne Opines

According to Sergio Marchionne, chief executive for the Fiat Group and Chrysler Group, LLC, automakers need to produce approximately 5.5 million cars annually in order to be profitable. That scale of operation is currently reached by a handful of companies right now, but as mentioned by The Auto Writer in December 2008, a few changes here or there and you'll have the consolidation Marchionne has envisioned taking place.

Not all consolidations or collaborations work out according to plan. Most recently, the Daimler-Chrysler hook up was an abject failure not the merger or acquisition originally conceived in 1998.

Still, that didn't stop Daimler from pursuing a small car alliance with Renault-Nissan, with each company taking token stakes in each other to seal the deal. Daimler was burned once so don't expect this agreement to go beyond small car component sharing with perhaps some commercial vehicles thrown in.

Emerging Markets

All across Europe, there are too many manufacturing plants to justify production. The strongest growth markets are China, India and Brazil and those are the places where capacity is being expanded. One only has to look at the major players operating in each country to realize that the stakes are high. Meanwhile, contraction of sorts is taking place in Europe and North America which means that some companies are shrinking, making it more difficult for them to go it alone.

One likely scenario is this one: as emerging markets continue to fuel demand, local manufacturers will continue to look abroad for alliances. Just as Geely snapped up Volvo, expect other Chinese companies to do the same. For many years, China's auto industry has consisted of local-foreign alliances, perhaps a telling sign of what the rest of the world may soon see.

Suzuki SX4 - A Roomy Supermini - Any Better Than Suzuki Swift?

2010-09-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

The Suzuki SX4 has a pleasant chunky look, with rugged wheelarch and side skirt extensions and a raised ride height. SX4 cabin shares its basic look with the Japanese manufacturer's other recent models, such as the Swift. The front end shares more of a family look with Fiat, while the view from the sides is reminiscent of the Daihatsu Terios mini off-roader.

Suzuki SX4 is more a practical car with good interior space. Its high ride height means it's easy to climb in or out of and front and rear space is good considering the car's size. The boot is smaller than many other superminis, with just 270-litres of space, rising to 625 litres with the seats folded.

Some cons for this 4x4 is, it is quite harsh on bad road surfaces. For the engines; the options are a 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.6- and 1.9-litre diesel. None of the engines offer huge performance, with 0-62mph times in the high tens to low twelves and top speeds just over 105mph. The 106bhp petrol unit is the only engine which can be mated to the SX4's 4GRIP 4x4 systems. The 1.6-litre engine is supplied by Peugeot, and produces 90bhp, while the 1.9-litre diesel we drove produces 118bhp.

Suzuki puts in an excellent showing in the Reliability Index, which tracks the cost and frequency of breakdowns. The Suzuki SX4 scored four out of five stars for adult occupant protection in the EuroNCAP crash test programme. All models feature the same level of safety kit, including driver, passenger, front side and curtain airbags and ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution - AutoTrader.

Is Suzuki SX4 affordable? It ranges more than £10,000 which as compared to the other rivals can be expensive. But it's a good car for those looking for car with off-road ability. It will appeal to families and those seeking an outdoor lifestyle, and there's certainly plenty of space to accommodate. The biggest cost when running a new Suzuki SX4 is depreciation. It'll hang on to just 44-46 per cent of its value after three years/36,000 miles.

The Suzuki Swift on other hand is more sporty and stylish car. With its funky exterior, it's a real spoiler. Practicality is what is ranked higher for Suzuki SX4 than Swift. The Swift ride and ease of handling is unbeatable as compared to SX4. Cost wise, Swift Sport is good value, especially when considering the Mini Cooper costs around £2,000 more.

Islamic Car to be Manufactured in Iran?

2010-09-01T09:13:00.001-07:00

Can Iran compete in the Global Auto Industry making "Islamic Cars" targeting Muslims? The Islamic car will be produced in Iran - the project is well underway and the goal is to sell Islamic cars to all the Muslim nations and export them to all nations that have significant populations of Muslims. Different parts of the car will be made in places like Turkey and, Iran and they will target market Malaysia, Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Oman, Iraq, Palestine, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Meanwhile, the Chinese are also coming out with a very small fuel-efficient car and why of small SUVs, which they plan on selling all over the world as well. This will be quite interesting because the Chinese are also partnering with various African countries to build cars there were cheaper labor and closer to the natural resources.

Does this mean the US automakers will not be able to compete in Asia, China, Africa, South America, Central America, Indonesia to sell their vehicles? The first Chinese car dealerships go into New Jersey in mid-2008 and they will be for sale at a lower price than even the Yugos, Daihatsu or Hyundai. The United States auto-workers need to start building cars that are more fuel-efficient that can compete or they will be left out in the cold.

The Iranian built, Islamic cars do not exist yet, but the project has already received funding that is needed to make it possible. This initial funding will pay for all the planning and feasibility studies. The total project to build the plant's it will make these cars will cost between 200 and $500 million and we will know sometime in mid-2008 if they will go through with it or not. Something to contemplate in 2008.

Why Are Japanese Mini Trucks So Popular?

2010-09-01T09:11:00.002-07:00

The Kei class vehicles have long been a product of Japan. Kei vehicles are lightweight vehicles and Kei trucks are small mini trucks that are used for a variety of purposes.

These small versatile trucks have become a popular export to the United States. Mainly the reason for their popularity is the import rules are not as strict on these vehicles as on others. The reason for the lax rules is because of their use for off road purposes and is typically used on ranches and farms.

This class of vehicle can be passenger cars as well as the mini trucks that you often see on farms and grounds. These tiny trucks are very versatile in their capacity. They are generally fitted with equipment on the rear of the truck so that they can perform their many tasks.

Their ability to move around in small areas makes them an excellent choice for hunting and use as an ambulance in crowded places.

During the 1980's these trucks typically had engines that were 550 cc and 40 horsepower, but today you can find them with 660cc and 45 horsepower engines. This is the standard size engine on mini trucks now.

A vehicle is usually only driven six thousand miles a year on average in Japan, but when you are purchasing one of these used trucks from Japan be sure to check the miles.

The six thousand miles are often very hard driven miles.

The Quality Of Mini Trucks And Their Value

You will find that these trucks have evolved over the years from their original size and emission control equipment. The regulations that govern the safety and emissions of these trucks and vehicles are changing constantly and today's trucks and cars are safer and cleaner than ever.

A vehicle is an expensive item in Japan. Not the cost of the vehicle itself, but the fees that are attached to keeping vehicles in Japan is quite high. The Japanese are required to pay a registration fee called 'shaken', the parking fees called 'shakoshomei' and 'zeiken' which means taxes. And then there is the insurance, which is called 'hokken'. All of these fees and taxes means that the older used vehicles are not worth the costs.

All of these fees and safety inspections mean that the Japanese keep their vehicles in great shape. It also means that they depreciate quite heavily in Japan. This is good news for those buying these used vehicles in other countries. They are generally sold for very good prices.

The mini truck models that are the most popular are the Daihatsu Hijet, the Suzuki Carry, the Honda Acty, the Mitsubishi Minicab and the Subaru Sambar. There are new models introduced very year, but usually they are pretty much the same.

Specifications For Japanese Mini Trucks

The specifications on mini trucks in Japan have varied each year. And they also vary between models. Generally they follow a specific guideline. They are usually 10'10" in length, 5'8" tall and 4'6" in width.

The dimensions for the truck bed are generally 4'1' X 6'6". The wheelbase is usually 6'3" and they weigh around 1400 pounds. These mini trucks are equipped with a manual transmission and generally have four or five gears. Some have six gears and ranges between high and low.

The tires can be changed to accommodate their use from regular tires to snow and mud tires. If they are to be used on a farm they can also be equipped with tractor tires or ATV tires. Sometimes these little work trucks will have air conditioning or radios installed inside the cab.

Overclocking: The Best Way To Get Free Speed

2010-09-01T09:11:00.001-07:00

Overclocking has been found to be the best way to get significant boost in the speed of your system at no cost at all.

But what really is this thing known as 'overclocking'?

It is the process of forcing the processor to run at a higher clock rate than its specification. Processor is made to run at certain frequencies (clock rates). The higher this frequency, the more calculations it can compute. Instead of buying a 3GHz processor, you can now make a 2GHz processor runs at 3GHz. In this case, you can save the time, effort and money to upgrade your system.

PC enthusiasts usually overclock their computer to increase the performance. Some of these enthusiasts purchase low-end computer components so they can overclock to achieve performance of a high-end system. However, if all you do on your computer is only word processing, email and simple tasks, overclocking will not give you noticeable performance boost. For gamers and those who are doing computationally heavy tasks, overclocking is the best way to transform your system from Daihatsu to Ferrari.

There are some risks involved in overclocking. Firstly, you will be voiding your warranty. This is logical as you are making the chips to run at a higher speed than its specification and there is this possibility that it could break. Though the risk of the chip breaking is small, the manufacturer will not want to bear this risk. In addition, the manufacturer disapprove of any overclocking act as it means there is a lesser demand for the higher speed processor which could earn them much more profit. Just in case the processor breaks, the whole system might be destroyed. Therefore, overclock at your own risk.

The main components used for overclocking are the processor and video card. The two things to consider when overclocking a component are the power supplied to the component and its cooling ability.

Overclocking is to ensure that it is supplied with the proper amount of power for its new speed. Providing too much power could permanently damage a component. You have to find a balance.

It is necessary to supply the proper amount of power to the component for its new speed. However, providing too much power could permanently damage the component. You have to find the balance.

With the increase in speed, the heat generated will surely increase. If too much heat is introduced to the system, it might destroy the functionality of the components, and in extreme cases, even causing them to catch fire. Therefore, sufficient cooling is paramount to a successful overclock. Some of the cooling agents used are forced convection (a fan blowing across a surface), Liquid Cooling (liquid coolant carrying waste heat to a radiator, similar to an automobile engine), liquid nitrogen, dry ice, phase change cooling (as used in refrigerators), and submersion (placing the entire computer in an inert fluid).

To overclock the processor, there are two settings that you must be aware of: the multiplier and the Front Side Bus (FSB). These two settings, when multiplied together, produce the frequency at which the CPU operates - for example, with a multiplier of 11 and a FSB of 200MHz, the CPU is running at 2.2GHz. By adjusting the multiplier value (usually an integer), higher speed can be achieved. It is advisable to do this with small increment at a time. Sudden huge increment will cause the system to be unstable and might lead to its destruction. Bit by bit, you can push the system to its extreme. Remember to increase its voltage as you do this. To test the performance of the overclocked processor, you can use free software such as Super-PI, Prime95, SiSoftware Sandra and Memtest86

For gaming purpose, overclocking the video card usually shows a better result than overclocking a processor. The largest performance boost usually came from overclocking the video card memory chips, so if you're trying to keep the heat down and only want to overclock the essentials, this is what you'll want to look at.

One application you can used to overclock the video card is PowerStrip (available from [http://www.entechtaiwan.net/util/ps.stm]). After installation, you can select 'Performance Profiles' and then 'Configure' from the menu. This is where you can see the Engine clock and Memory clock. Slowly increase the Engine clock in 5MHz increments and run the benchmark application. When you start to see peculiar shape, this is its fastest possible speed. Move the slider back to its previous successful overclock and that is the core frequency. Repeat the same step with the memory clock. When this is done, your video card will be overclocked to its maximum. Before you run the application, remember to provide enough cooling agent to the video card as the overclocking process will bring up its temperature a few notches.

With the extra speed boosts, surely you can do much more things with your system. Hopefully this article has provided you with an insight to the overclocking world. Welcome to the overclocking community and all the best to your overclocking endeavor.

Building a Brand With a Thousand Songs

2010-09-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

You know you need a brand. But do you know that one of the most effective ways to grow your business is to build on that brand? In a world of short attention spans and rapidly changing technology, building your brand is crucial to your survival. The most successful companies understand its importance. Here's one brand building success story:

Music to Our Ears

Do you have an iPod? It seems everywhere you look today, someone is plugged into Apple's portable digital music player. The company knows its audience and shrewdly builds its brand around it. As a result, Apple has sold more than 59 million iPods since their inception in late 2001, with 6,451,000 sold in the fiscal 2005 fourth quarter alone.[1]

In fact, iPod's branding and subsequent popularity have resulted in 220 percent growth of the units over the previous year's same quarter.[2] How did Apple do it?

Finding the Right iName

Apple's premier product was the MacIntosh computer. As the internet grew, Apple shortened the computer's name to iMac. The nickname represented the personal computer's ability to deliver all the features needed to connect with the Internet. The name stuck.

Over the years, the company introduced numerous products. However, none have been as enormously popular as the iPod. Coincidentally, iPod's target market was being born during much of the company's growth in the late 1980's. Today, this key audience has been dubbed the iGeneration.

The iGeneration has been a boon for iMac, and subsequently, iPod. The company has helped define a "culture" around its brand.. The seemingly simple "i" not only grew to establish the brand for the company but also drove the development of a host of "i" products like iPod, iTunes, iChat, iMovies, iBook and iSight. Today, the company's brand reflects the attributes of being high-tech, "cool" and creative - exactly what its products and messaging have attempted to convey.

Creating a Halo Effect...And a Thousand Songs

Although the iPod is both Mac and Microsoft Windows-compatible, Apple's branding created a "halo effect," subliminally reinforcing brand loyalty in its Mac users as well as converting non-Apple users. Today, iPod continues to dominate the industry, with more than 90% of sales in the digital music market for hard-drive players and over 70% of the market for all types of music players.[3]

Next, iPod created a tagline, "A Thousand Songs, in Your Pocket." You know exactly what the product delivers based on the tagline. Moreover, the tagline is catchy and more likely to resonate in the mind of the consumer. Along with it, iPod created a simple, yet powerful image. Silhouetted people against brightly colored solid backgrounds dance to music via the iPod. The images are strikingly simple, but effectively and prominently focus on the contrasting white iPod and accompanying white headphones. See the white hand-held player and headphone cords, think iPod.

When set to music, the images evoke emotions in the consumer. The classic rock songs iPod uses in its advertisements bring back memories of places, people and times in our lives. We all relate to dancing with abandon to our favorite tunes, and the desire to let loose and dance resurfaces at the sight of the silhouetted dancer.

iPod knows these ads will influence the consumer's psyche. We buy for emotional reasons and then rationalize the purchase with specific benefits like iPod's small pocket size, convenience, cool colors, easy navigation, expanded memory, etc.

Building Buzz and Momentum with U2

Apple could have stopped extending its brand after its initial success. However, the company knows that good branding continues to build on buzz and momentum. Apple expanded its brand on several levels.

First, they introduced special edition iPods featuring the immensely popular rock group, U2. The campaign was two-fold. U2 was able to promote its latest CD "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" along with its first single, "Vertigo." Apple was able to generate buzz, and sales, by introducing a special edition U2 iPod in black. Next, Apple created an ad campaign featuring U2 silhouetted against a bright, solid-colored backdrop singing "Vertigo."

The ads were highly effective and precisely targeted at iPod's demographic. If iPod is cool enough for U2, then it's cool enough for me. They generated plenty of buzz and sales continued to grow. Additionally, the ads tapped into the emotional aspects of a consumer's decision-making process to reach the repressed rocker in each of us.

Expanding on your brand to reflect growth and keep consumers interested is part of the ongoing process of evaluating and building your brand. Apple understands this and has begun to capitalize on the iGeneration's thirst for ever-changing, more advanced technology by releasing other iPod versions including the Mini, Shuffle, and most recently, Nano. The newest iPod will hold 15,000 songs, 25,000 photos and 150 hours of video. Again, it taps into the consumer's psyche by continuously introducing newer, better and cooler versions of predecessors. The company still utilizes cultural icons to tout the product as well, with the latest ad campaign featuring the rapper, Eminem.

Apple also brands iPod in conjunction with iTunes, its music web site where iPod users can purchase and download songs for less than $1 a piece. The iTunes web site also enables users to download pre-released songs, making its appeal even stronger among the iGeneration.

Partnering to Build Brand Awareness...and Sales

Today, Apple is partnering with automakers to continue building and extending its iPod brand. Working with car manufacturers like BMW, Nissan, Volkswagen and Volvo, Apple and its new auto partners will "create seamless integration between your car and iPod." iPod-ready head units, self-install options and professionally installed interfaces are available for select 2005 and 2006 cars. Apple touts these after-market car integration solutions as a way to customize "your ride, iPod-style." Japan is integrating iPod systems into their 2006 Nissan, Mazda, Daihatsu, BMW, MINI, smart and Alfa Romeo lines. Such partnerships expand iPod's geographic reach and certainly its commercial exposure.

Building Brand One iProduct at a Time

Brand is a work in progress, always evolving. You've got to check the market's pulse on a regular basis to get a reliable read on your brand's value and adjust it accordingly to keep it fresh and in front of the consumer. By continuously leveraging your brand equity-be it through businesses, musicians, the media, customers, employees or the public-it will grow strong and powerful, and will surely resonate with your audience.

So, are you building on your brand? If not, it's time to look at your brand with fresh eyes. Considering the who, what, where, when, why and how of your brand and target audience is an ongoing and essential process. Who are your customers today (they might not be the same customers you had five years ago) and who can you partner with to leverage your brand? What has changed with your customers and what are their needs and wants? Where is the industry going today, five years from now, ten years? When should you leverage your brand and when should you wait? Why do your customers buy your brand? How has the world and your business changed over the years and how should that be reflected in your brand?

As we become a more global market, with shorter attention spans, building brand is critical to your longevity. Build your brand thoughtfully and its value to your customers, partners and shareholders will increase. That alone will be music to your ears.

Starter Failure: Now What?

2010-09-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

Your vehicle's electrical system is equipped with an alternator, a battery, fuses, a starter, wires, and related parts. If your car is having difficulty starting and you have ruled out the alternator, battery, and fuses, as well as have checked all of the connections, it is likely that the starter is bad and it will need to be replaced. What type of starter should you purchase? The answer may very well depend on your budget.

1. Reliably rebuilt...or not. You can find bargain priced starters if you decide to purchase one that has been rebuilt. True, the quality may be suspect, but the price cannot be beat...except at a junk yard. Remember: you get what you pay for!

2. Junk yard jewels. I have a buddy who likes to go to the junk yard to find replacement parts for his vehicles. He doesn't always find what he wants, but he has been able to pull several starters off from some of the junkers. Some work, some don't while others may work for awhile and then crap out a few months later. If you have plenty of time and luck is on your side then this can be an option for you.

3. Dealer diamonds. One great thing about automobile dealers is that if you need a part they will have it on hand. If not, dealer parts departments will gladly order what you want straight from the manufacturer. Just like purchasing a diamond you will pay a pretty price for a dealer ordered starter. Ouch!

The History of Toyota

2010-09-01T09:06:00.001-07:00

Toyota is one of the best car selling companies in the world. TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation) was established in Tokyo, Japan. The company was founded in the year 1937 by a successful businessman - Mr. Kiichiro Toyoda.

The company is a corporation in the Toyota City in Tokyo. Some say that the company is not one of the best companies but the only best and the largest motor making company in the world. Today, there are more than 317,000 people working in this company as its dedicated employees. The world has seen its triumph soon after the World War and the cars that were created by this company were really amazing and there is no doubt about it. It was the year 1934 when Toyota Industries created its first ever product by the name Type A engine which rocked the market of automobiles. Ford and many other well known companies knew that they got their rival and competitor.

The company did not stop creating anything and they kept on creating more and more powerful things without stopping. In the year 1936, Toyota created a history by introducing a new passenger car- Toyota AA. Toyota also has other brands which are very famous worldwide and are known as Scion and Lexus. These cars have great deals and they have majority of their shareholdings in Daihatsu and Hino Motors. Did you know? The company alone holds about 522 subsidiaries, and this makes the company the largest automaker in the world.

Besides making cars, the company also has its wings in other sectors such as financial sector. The name of this branch is Division Toyota Financial Services. This company also plays a crucial role in financial sector and gives loans and financial assistance to the people who are in need of capital. Toyota Group is the largest group of industries in the world.

However, Toyota motors limited has seen a huge loss of about 5 billion US dollars due to internal issues. After the financial crisis that happened due to American people, Toyota lost a lot of shares and stakes and money between the years 2007-2009. The recession that happened in the world was mainly due to Americans who did not pay their loans and taxes back to the country. Japan blamed America for doing such a cheap thing and people of America have gulped the money that other people gave as taxes. After gulping down, they kept mum and the whole world started suffering. Mr. Toyoda was traced quoting, "Americans are selfish, and indeed the world is suffering. God knows when they will think about others other than filling their own stomachs by snatching other's work". However, this was rubbished as a rumor but people still do believe that it did affect everyone.

No matter what, Toyota Company still is in demand and people are crazy about the cars!

Mitsubishi Electric Car

2010-09-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

The Mitsubishi Company is a conglomerate of independent outfits united together under the same brand. The Company has an interesting history, starting out as a shipping concern in 1870. Then they moved into mining, shipbuilding, banking, insurance, warehousing, trade, paper, steel, glass, electrical equipment, aircraft, oil, and real estate.

The company made the famous Japanese Zero during WW2. The Zero was formidable in combat from Wake Island to Kamakazie raids on aircraft carriers.

After the war, Mitsubishi began ventures into petrochemical and nuclear areas. The company is now the largest Japanese trading company with 200 firms in 80 countries and over 50,000 workers. EVs are under serious development in Japan

For the record, The Japan Electric Vehicle Club has just set a world distance record for an electric car on one full charge. 17 drivers completed 1,456 laps on an oval track in Ibaraki Shimotsuma. The speed was 40 km/h (25mph), the car a converted Daihatsu Mira. The EV total distance added up to an amazing 1003km (623 mi).

The iMiev is the latest of a series of electric cars developed since the company began investigation into the technology in the 1970s. The iMiev began life as a converted 2005 Dodge Colt with 2-in wheel electric motors for power. After several variations of the in wheel design, the iMiev as is today was developed in 2006.

The car was first produced in 2009. It is one of the first of a new wave of electric cars on the market. Utility companies and other agencies have been field testing the Miev platform since 2007. Results have not generally been made public. However, there are reviews available from individuals testing the car.

The iMiev lists good performance specs, with a 16kWh Li-Ion battery pack boosting the car to an 80mph/130kph and a top speed for a range of 75 miles (130km). The car is light by western standards at around 2,068 lbs/ 940 kg empty. Note that the 16kWh of battery storage translates to the energy equivalent of approximately one half a US gallon of gasoline!

In the looks department, the wheels of the car are designed to be as close as possible to the very corners of the car. This plus a rather wide expanse of front glass gives the car a somewhat unique appearance.

Some of the more critical comments regarding iMiev performance centered on range issues. It appears that in cold weather, the published range value of drops quite a bit. This issue may be addressed mode definitively with the results of a 50 vehicle Canadian field trial by Hydro-Quebec.

An iMiev recently tested in for one week in Tokyo met with positive results, and an interesting comment regarding the state of EV development in that area. As the batteries reached empty, an onboard navigation system provided locations of close by quick chargers. The Japanese government is aiding in developing a national infrastructure of so called "eco stations". Tokyo already has a bunch of fast charge points installed.

The car is for sale in Japan for around $40,000 (USD), $50,000 (USD) in Hong Kong (50 only available) and a bit more in the UK. The cars are not yet on sale in the USA.

So far, around 1,500 iMiev's have been marketed in 2010. Production numbers for 2010 have been estimated at 5,000 units.

Top 10 Cheapest Cars in the World

2010-09-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

After the spectacular introduction of the famous Tata Nano, many people began to wonder what is going to happen when people in developing countries are going to afford purchasing automobiles. The Tata Nano is not the first attempt to manufacture an affordable car. Going back a few decades, we have the funny Fiat 500 in Italy, VW Beetle in Germany, the Citroen 2CV and the Renault 4CV in France, and of course, the Ford Model T in the United States. With this article we will present the current 10 most affordable cars in the world.

10. Dacia Logan - $9,477 price tag. It is manufactured in Romania, Brazil, Turkey, India and Iran. It was designed by Renault with the main purpose of being low-cost. It shares plenty of features with the Renault Clio and the Nissan Micra.

9. Fiat Palio - $9,242 price tag. It was originally manufactured in Brazil and after that built in other Latin American countries as well as India, Morocco, Poland, Russia and China. This car is one of the first models designed with emerging technologies in mind.

8. Hyundai i10 - $9,096 price tag. The i10 model is the new generation of the Atos. It is produced in South Korea.

7. Tata Indica - $8,500 price tag. It is one of the ugliest cars in the European market, where it still lives because you cannot get something cheaper than this. The car is also sold with great success in South Africa.

6. Chery A-1 - $7,340 price tag. It looks like a solid subcompact and rumors say that it will be sold under the Dodge brand in Mexico. Chery's partnership with Austrian company AVL that will be bringing the technology to make this car meet the Euro IV standards, something the environment should appreciate.

5. Geely HQ SRC - $5,780 price tag. This car is based on the 1980's Daihatsu Charade, which was at its time, a very good car.

4. Geely MR - $5,500 price tag. It is quite similar with the HQ SRC, the only difference would be that it is equipped with "sportier" powertrains, but basically it is the same car.

3. Suzuki Maurti 800 - $4,994 price tag. A mini car for those that cannot afford a full-sized automobile.

2. Cheery QQ - $4,781 price tag. It is almost double the price of the number one in our list, but it still holds strongly to the second position. Manufactured in China, it sparked some trademark problems because it resembles a lot with the Chevrolet/Daewoo Matiz.

1. Tata Nano - $2,497 price tag. This car is well thought out, and many patents have resulted from the creation process, starting with the Nano's powertrain to the assembly process itself. Many people are against this car because lots of people will afford it and many cars result in pollution.

There you have, the 10 most affordable cars in the world, with the Tata Nano holding comfortably the first place of the top. We shall see how popular and successful the Nano will get and if other manufacturers will try to produce an even more affordable car.

You Can Be a Cruise Ship Owner Even If You Are Not Rich

2010-09-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

Unlike fractional ownership of aircraft and houseboats, fractional owners of a cruise ship can all use the ship simultaneously. There is plenty of room for you and the other owners to live on the ship any time you want, or all the time. You can use it as a full-time residence, and so can the other co-owners.

The first obvious benefit of shared ownership is acquisition cost. There are many cruise ships on the market in all price ranges, sizes, ages, and conditions. There are many smaller and older cruise ships available for less than one million dollars. At the lower end, some smaller cruise ships in fair condition can be acquired for about $250,000. At the highest end, the biggest new mega cruise ships now cost about $500 million to build.

Do the math. If one hundred buyers pool resources in exchange for a percentage of ship ownership, the acquisition cost will be divided by that same number. One percent ownership of a $250,000 cruise ship would cost a mere $2500 for ship acquisition. At the other end of the scale, one percent ownership of a brand new mega cruise ship would cost five million dollars.

There are some other figures that must be tabulated into the total cost of ownership. Acquisition cost is first and foremost. The next figure is the cost to put the ship in service. On an older ship this cost may be higher than the acquisition cost. On the other hand, the cost to put a ship into service can be much lower if you were to get a good deal on a ship that already meets the international standards for ship safety, especially SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea). Maintaining compliance with Chapter II SOLAS 74 amendments is cost prohibitive for some older ships and they are typically scrapped instead of being refurbished at great expense. There is a very important SOLAS implementation date coming up on January 10, 2010. On that date all commercial international ships will be required to be in compliance with the new fire safety codes. The most important new codes deal with the use of combustible materials in the ship. It will be expensive to replace all combustible materials in ships with non-combustible or flame resistant SOLAS compliant materials that meet the new safety standards. This will result in many ships being sold for scrap metal.

The looming SOLAS 2010 implementation date offers both perils and opportunities. The biggest peril is the possibility that the expense to bring a ship into full compliance with international standards will be greater than the value of the ship. However, there is a silver lining in this cloud. This pending SOLAS implementation date has already started to show up as a primary factor in the asking and selling prices of ships on the market today.

SOLAS 2010 also offers a tremendous opportunity for those who may prefer to have a very large houseboat instead of a commercial ship. Ships that are not in compliance with SOLAS 2010 are now selling for a song (inexpensively). A cruise ship can easily be converted into a megayacht with the stroke of a pen. Privately owned yachts, not in commercial service, and not carrying passengers or cargo for hire are exempt from many of the SOLAS requirements. Operating costs are also lower for a private yacht. It cost less to register, flag, and insure a private yacht. Megayachts can be flagged and classified for unlimited service. That means that a megayacht can go practically anywhere you want it to go. There is one major drawback to registering a cruise ship as a private yacht. You cannot use the yacht commercially. This cuts off a potential revenue source.

There are many decent cruise ships for sale at prices of less than one million dollars that would make good private megayachts. For example, take the 'VERGINA SKY' is a ship that I have personally inspected and so I can talk first hand about it. The asking price was $750,000. Here are the specifics of the ship in a nutshell:

Current Name: Vergina Sky

Ship Details: Built: 1971 in Japan - totally rebuilt 1992 in Greece

Dimensions: LOA 97.8m x LBP 82m x beam 14.6m x draft 4.49m Dwt: 500 on 4,49 GT/NT: 4,668 / 1,717

Description: Pielstick 2 x 8400bhp, twin screw, bow thruster, 3 x 500kw generators, 16 knots, 2 saloons, restaurant, 3 bars, casino, duty free shop, disco, swimming pool, 120 cabins for 318 guests. Lying Greece

My Comments after inspecting the ship

This is a well built little 'Pocket Cruiser.' At just over 320' in length overall, it is a small cruise ship. Many experienced cruise passengers prefer smaller more intimate cruise ships for a variety of reasons. This ship can go places where the big cruise ships cannot reach, such as shallow draft ports and even many rivers. It has an omni-directional bow thruster and can turn on a dime (relatively speaking of course). I have carefully examined this ship from the engine log to the ultrasound hull report. This is a sound and safe little cruise ship. It is also a very fuel efficient and economical ship. My first time on this ship was in the middle of the summer in Greece when it was very hot outside. The ship is fully air conditioned and it was cool and comfortable inside the ship. I checked the engine room to see how many generators were running. I am happy to report that all the electric and air-conditioning requirements can be met by running just one of the three Daihatsu generators. These generators are very economical to operate in terms of fuel consumption and maintenance.

I was able to negotiate with the owner, John Kosmas and get some concessions. I got the price down to $500,000. And at that price, he agreed to bring the ship into compliance with SOLAS 2005 and also to include new paint topside. The ship was fairly well furnished even including bed linen, but the ship had been laid up for years. Its most recent service was in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Cruise ships that trade exclusively in the Mediterranean and Black Seas tend to have smaller cabins and fewer amenities than the typical cruise ships that frequent the Caribbean. The bottom line is that this ship was an economy model, not a luxury model. When I was inspecting the engine room, I asked for the engine log. When I opened it I noticed all the entries were in Greek. I was able to discern some dates and other data that told me when the ship was last in service, but I could not read the Greek entries so I handed the engine log back to the ship owner, and told him "It's all Greek to me." Being Greek, Mr. Kosmas failed to find the humor in that.

Let's look at the numbers on this ship. 100% of the acquisition cost would have been $500,000. 1% thus = $5000. One hundred buyers could own one percent each. There are 120 cabins so each co-owner could have a private cabin with 20 cabins left over. However, these cabins are a bit on the small side. Every cabin does have a bath and shower, but the size is just too small to be comfortable for most people, especially if the owners intend to live onboard full time. On a ship this size I would recommend that there be no more than 60 joint owners so each can have two cabins and will have the option of converting those two cabins into a two room suite. To keep the numbers simple lets say that this ship has 50 buyers who each buy 2% of the ship. Buy in cost per owner would then be $10,000. If there were only ten buyers, then the acquisition cost per buyer would be $50,000. $50,000 will not buy much of a house on land, but on this ship it would buy 10% of a ship like the Vergina Sky and twelve cabins that could be converted into a fairly large home.

At the economy end of the scale, a co owner could buy 1% of an economical cruise ship for about $5000. However it is not necessary for all co owners to have equal shares in the ship. Ownership can easily be divided up into 1% increments. If one buyer wanted 5%, then his cost of acquisition would be $25,000. He would be entitled to 5% of the ship's cabins, and would have five votes on operations and management of the ship, such as itinerary planning.

Mini Trucks Offer a New Driving Alternative

2010-09-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

If you wish win the fight against high cost and possibly some winter blues, look at buying Japanese mini trucks. Duane Hunt, founder of Flatlanders Mini Trucks Sales, recently got into the business of selling these Japanese trucks. What makes these trucks so special is the fact they can be used for heavy driving as well as every day and street driving.

"They are practical, reliable, economical and affordable," said Hunt.

Hunt believes that these vehicles come from the class of 50s and 60s. As on date, you would find a lot of these trucks having 660 cc engines, a touch more than what is used in running motorcycles. In essence, this then becomes one of the most fuel-effective alternatives.

Robin Holma, owner of High Energy Performance Trucks in Estevan, introduced these Japanese mini trucks to Hunt. Robin believes that these trucks offer the advantages as mentioned below.

1)Easy to operate
2)Low maintenance costs
3)Efficiency in fuel consumption and use.

"I took one for a week and drove it pretty much everywhere, and it cost me about $14 in fuel," said Holma. Some of the Japanese manufacturers include Daihatsu, Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Subaru.

A lot of people who have used these trucks vouch for the fuel efficiency of these trucks. Some people have even claimed that these trucks give them a mileage of about 22 kilometers per liter, something that was out of thoughts for locally made trucks.

"I took one for a week and drove it pretty much everywhere, and it cost me about $14 in fuel," said Holma. Some of the Japanese manufacturers include Daihatsu, Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Subaru.

A lot of people who have used these trucks vouch for the fuel efficiency of these trucks. Some people have even claimed that these trucks give them a mileage of about 22 kilometers per liter, something that was out of thoughts for locally made trucks.

Apart from them being fuel efficient and friendly on the environment, people believed that they are absolutely super-cool to drive. You could get these trucks in a cost range of about $6000 to $12000. With costs you would also find that these trucks are designed to carry variable payloads and are fitted with their own accessories.

Descriptions and pictures of the mini trucks are received prior to ordering. This is indeed a safe process because all these trucks are serviced and on arrival, are checked for their safety.

Prior to being sold, each of these trucks is approved by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI). All the accessories like the cooling system, transmission and other performance metrics are checked for these trucks upon arrival.

This, Hunt believes makes it very easy for people to get these trucks and start using them. With warranties for 30 days, and an extra warranty available for a year, surely these trucks cannot miss your eye.

The Four Generations of the Daihatsu Charade

2010-09-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

The Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. is an automobile manufacture who has its base and headquarters located in Japan. This Japanese car manufacturer is commonly known as Daihatsu and it is famous for its production of compact cars and small cars that are known in Japan as kei jihosha.

The Daihatsu Charade is actually one of the cars that this automobile manufacturer has produced. And this vehicle is actually a subcompact car, making it fit nicely in the line of vehicles that this company has been producing. The Daihatsu Charade was born in the year 1977. It lived through several decades up until the year 2000 when its production was halted. However, the company thinks that this vehicle is actually a large compact car. This is most likely because the Daihatsu Charade is the largest compact car that the company has produced compared to all the other compact cars in its line up of vehicles.

Last year, 2005, the Charade name was actually brought back in the automobile market in the United Kingdom and in Australia as well. In fact, the vehicle that holds the Charade name is actually a rebadged Daihatsu Mira which is more known as the Daihatsu Cuore in other markets in Europe.

The previous Daihatsu Charade was known in the automobile world to have gone through four specific generations. The first generation was known as G10 and it lived through the years 1977 up until 1983. It was made available as a hatchback that either held three doors or four doors. Its power came from a 993 cc engine with three cylinders and could produce 50 units of horsepower.

The second generation, known as G11, lived from 1983 up until 1987. The body styles offered were still the same. However, as per the power, there were several variations of the engine. There also was a five speed manual transmission made available.

As per the third generation of the Daihatsu Charade which was known as G100, it lived from 1987 up until the year 1994. This time around, the subcompact car had trim levels available for this vehicle. The vehicle also had features like a sunroof, power windows, air conditioning as well as a power steering. In the United States, the Daihatsu Charade was sold with a high price and was not marketed well so much so that it sold poorly in this area.

The last generation of the Daihatsu Charade was known as the G200 and this generation started in 1994 and it ended in 2000, which also was the last year for the Daihatsu Charade. This time, instead of just having a hatchback version, there also was a sedan version made available for the consumers.

Daihatsu Copen 1.3-liter Headed for the UK Market

2010-09-01T08:52:00.000-07:00

The Daihatsu Copen, a 2-door roadster model from the Japanese car manufacturer is poised to arrive in dealer showrooms all over the United Kingdom. Although the Daihatsu Copen is exclusively sold for the Japanese Kei-car market, UK-based Daihatsu Vehicle Distributors Limited convinced the Japanese automaker to revamp some of the vehicle's components including the small engine with only 660 cc displacement to adapt in the European vehicle standards.

In addition, to comply with the European Whole Vehicle Type Approval, Daihatsu equipped the Copen with a larger 1.3 litre petrol engine that now pumps out an additional 19 hp and a 14.5 lb.-ft. increase of peak torque, for a total of 86 hp at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 88.5 lb ft at 4,400 rpm. Daihatsu said the Copen offers an improved fuel efficiency and low fuel consumption rate, thanks to the advance engine systems like Dynamic Variable Valve Timing (DVVT) which enhances low-speed pulling power, the compact twin overhead camshaft unit equipped with alloy head and block. Moreover, the Daihatsu Copen also comes with the first ever self regenerating catalytic converter made palladium, the most heat sensitive material used in catalytic converters. As a result, the catalytic converter has the ability to regenerate and prolong its function in reducing CO2 exhaust emission coming out from the Daihatsu Copen.

With the new engine, the Daihatsu Copen can now sprint from 0 to 62 mph time in just 9.5 seconds, about 2 seconds faster than the previous 660 cc engine. The Copen roadster can reach an electronically limited full throttle speed of 112 mph.

According to Paul Tunnicliffe, Daihatsu Managing Director, "We are all car enthusiasts here at Daihatsu and were instrumental in bringing the original model to market in the UK. With this lively new engine and a highly competitive price, we are delighted not only to have a 'halo' model in our range but to be able to offer fellow enthusiasts such a characterful and affordable fun car."

The revised Daihatsu Copen for the UK market received several facelift from the Japanese automaker. The small car retains its sporty and compact body styling with a rounded design. Compared to VW Fox parts like the trapezoidal headlamps, The Daihatsu Copen gets oval shaped headlamps as well as oval shaped rear lamps. The small rear boot spoiler is one of the new features of the vehicle. Of course, the Daihatsu Copen still features the electronically operated folding hard top roof made of lightweight aluminum.

Inside, the new Daihatsu Copen is equipped with standard safety components including front seats with pretensioners and force limiters, twin front airbags, dual side-impact door beams, Auto-locking restraints (ALR), and reinforced front side-members and front sub-frame. In addition, passive safety systems are also standard like twin roll-over bars, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), and Daihatsu's impact-sensing system.

The Daihatsu Copen 1.3-liter will roll out in UK dealerships carrying a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of 10,995 British pounds or about $21,636 USD.

Toyota Rav4 2.0 D-4D NRG (2002) Review

2010-09-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

I bought this car as my first major step up from the bangers that I used to drive. My last car was a Daihatsu Sportrak, a brilliant little petrol 4x4, built like a tank, especially good in summer with the removable hard tops although not really suited to long motorway driving. It was this car that prompted me to look for another 4x4 when it finally died.

I was looking for a similar sized 4x4 that was more comfortable on long journeys, it had to be diesel to improve on fuel costs compared to my previous car.

After much searching, and looking at various different models such as the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Honda HRV, Honda CRV, Landrover Freelander, and Daihatsu Terios, I came across the short wheel base (SWB) version of the Toyota Rav4 (there has since been a new model in which the short wheelbase version is no longer being made and the range has been given an all round facelift). The first thing that stood out is that it looks a lot more stylish than the other 4x4's in the same class, especially the diesel engined version, which I opted for, with the bonnet scoop for the turbo intercooler.

It turns out that the diesel engine that comes in this model (2.0 D-4D) is really quite efficient, I'm currently returning 41.7 mpg on average which is mostly town driving. Another good point about this engine is it's low CO2 output (190g/km) which is 1 in the eye for all those 4x4 haters out there as it has lower emmissions than most cars, be aware though that the increasing vehicle excise duty rates means taxing the vehicle can be quite expensive but you will reclaim this money with the savings on fuel.

The model I purchased was the 2 door NRG which came with the optional leather seats and 6 disc changer which is located under the passenger seat. The leather seats are extremely comfortable on long journeys, the ride feels sturdy yet does not break your back when encountering pot holes.

For a 4x4 the RAV corners exceptionally well with little or no roll. The RAV was rumoured to be the '4x4 GTi' and I can confirm those rumours, it pulls very strongly through each gear and will easily top 100mph. The RAV comes as a full time 4 wheel drive apart form the NV model which is 2 wheel drive. Personally I think this model is pointless, who in their right mind is going to buy a 2 wheel drive 4x4?

The RAV is billed as a softroader which means it has car like driving characteristics but has the ability to cope with the occasional off roading should you need it. The idea of softroaders came about because car companies realised that people buy big 4x4s because they think they are safer, they also realised that very few of those people actually used their 4x4s off road, so softroaders retained the high driving position and size of 'proper' 4x4s while simplifying the 4x4 running gear and softening the suspension to make them more suited to driving on the road. While it does not come with the low transfer box which comes with the larger 4x4's, it will handle most of the off road scenarios that you're likely to come across. The 4x4 factor really comes into it's own under extreme weather conditions, meaning it will handle better and therefore be safer, that coupled with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) means that you feel more confident driving this car in bad weather than any standard 2 wheel drive car.

One unique feature about this D-4D engine is the variable nozzle turbocharger, this allows the turbo to adjust how much air is allowed to enter the turbo and thus produces an extra 5bhp over the old D-4D engine and delivers a constant torque of 250Nm between 1800rpm and 3000rpm.

Maximum power of 114bhp (85kW) occurs at 4000rpm. Not to mention it creates a satisfying turbo whine once you reach the turbo band!

Something you do not get with the 2dr RAV4 is a boot. With the rear seats pushed all the way back (the 2 independent rear seats adjust forward and back and also incline) there is pretty much no usable boot space whatsoever. This renders the SWB 2 door version of the RAV 4 unsuitable to families of more than 2 unless you're going to use the RAV as a second family car. For me it's ideal as I rarely have more than 2 people in the car at any 1 time. If I do need any boot space for anything significant it's not a problem because the rear 2 seats fold forward and lock into place, and if necessary can be completely removed with the simple push of a lever.

With Toyota being a Japanese car firm you also get the benefit of excellent build quality and exceptional reliability. This will save you money in the long run and will outweigh the premium that you will pay for a car of this make. Toyota recommends that major services should be performed on the RAV 4 every 20,000 miles which also means that you should see less of the dealer or local garage which is always a good sign.

Key Features

Available in three and five-door bodystyles

Full time four-wheel drive (two-wheel drive NV version not available with D-4D engine)

Latest technology, common rail, 2.0-litre D-4D diesel

Exceptional fuel economy, low noise, low emissions

Available in four trim levelsl (NV, NRG, GX and VX)

Excellent combined fuel consumption of 39.8 mpg

0-62mph in 12.1 seconds, maximum speed of 106mph

WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) front seats, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and twin front airbags standard on all grades

MPV-style versatility with rear seats designed to slide, fold, tumble and be removed

Air conditioning standard on all grades

Remote alarm and Thatcham Category One immobiliser fitted as standard

Roof rails standard on all grades

Offered with three-year/ 60,000 mile warranty as standard

On sale in the UK from 1 September 2001

D-4D engine is a £1000 premium over petrol versions

Specifications

ENGINE (2.0L D-4D)

1CD-FTV

Valve Mechanism Variable valve timing, 16 valve, DOHC, Chain Drive

Bore x Stroke (mm) 82.2 x 94.0

Displacement (cc) 1995

Compression ratio 18.6:1

Max. Power bhp/rpm (kW) 114 @ 4,000 (85)

Max. Torque (Nm/rpm) 250 @ 1,800-3,000

PERFORMANCE

0-62mph 12.1 secs

Max speed 106mph

FUEL ECONOMY AND EMISSIONS

Urban mpg 31.7

Extra-Urban mpg 46.3

Combined mpg 39.8

CO2 g/km 190

WEIGHTS 3 DOOR 5 DOOR

Kerb weight (kg) 1315-1425 1370-1485

Gross vehicle weight (kg) 1785 1925

Towing capacity-u/braked (kg) 640 640

Towing capacity-braked (kg) 1500 1500

GEARBOX RATIOS

1st 3.833

2nd 2.045

3rd 1.333

4th 0.972

5th 0.731

Reverse 3.583

DIMENSIONS (exterior) 3 DOOR 5 DOOR

Overall length 3850 - NV3865 - NRG 4200 - NV4250 - GX4260 - VX

Overall width (mm) 17351785 (wide pack) 17351785 (wide pack)

Overall height - 4WD (mm) 1695 (215 tyre)1700 (235 tyre) 1705 (215 tyre)1710 (235 tyre)

Wheelbase (mm) 2280 2490

Min. turning radius (m) 5.0 5.3

Tread width - 4WD (mm) front 1505 (215 tyre)1525 (235 tyre)

Tread width - 4WD (mm) rear 1495 (215 tyre)1520 (235 tyre)

Fuel Tank capacity (L / gal) 57 / 12.5

Coefficient of Drag 0.35

LUGGAGE CAPACITY (L) 3 DOOR 5 DOOR

Rear seats in position 150 410

Rear seats folded 230 520

Rear seats removed 690 970

SUSPENSION

Front MacPherson Struts with L-shaped arms

Rear Double Wishbone with trailing arms

BRAKES

Front (diameter) Ventilated disc (302mm)

Rear (diameter) Solid disc (298mm)

STEERING

Type Rack and Pinion

Ratio 16

Turns lock to lock 2.9

TYRES AND WHEELS

Wheel size 16" Aluminium / Steel

Tyre size (NV & GX)(NRG & VX) 215/70 R 16235/60 R 16

Conclusion

Good Points Excellent build quality, reliable, stylish, infrequent service intervals, drives well, comfortable, fuel efficient, and eco-friendly.

Bad Points Expensive to tax, lack of boot space on the 2dr model.

johnsreviews rating: 8/10

Nine Japanese Automakers

2010-09-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

Japanese built and designed cars have flooded the North American market for over forty years now. Over time, many nameplates have come and gone, but Japanese cars continue to gain market share and acceptance with a growing number of motorists attracted to their high quality and durability. There are nine Japanese automobile manufacturing companies in existence. Can you name them? Let's take a look at the list:

Toyota - The second largest automaker in the world is Toyota, maker of the Camry, the Corolla, and a host of SUVs, trucks, passenger cars, and a van. Toyota's Lexus division produces luxury cars, while its Scion division manufactures youth oriented vehicles.

Honda - The Accord and the Civic are Honda's two most well known models, followed by the Odyssey minivan, the Ridgeline truck, the Element, and several other passenger vehicles. Acura is the name given to Honda's luxury car division.

Nissan - Drive a Datsun and then decide. Up until the early 1980s, Nissan's North American nameplate was Datsun, but was switched to Nissan to give it a more global name. The Sentra, Maxima, and Pathfinder are amongst the division's best selling vehicles. Infiniti is Nissan's luxury car division. Renault Motors of France owns a controlling interest in Nissan.

Mitsubishi - Originally imported exclusively by Chrysler, Mitsubishi began to sell cars under its own name in the 1980s. Top selling models include the Lancer, the Eclipse, and the Montero. DaimlerChrysler owns a chunk of the company.

Mazda - The Tribute, Miata, and the "6" are some of the most well known Mazda models. The Mazda 6's platform also powers several Ford Motor Company cars including the Mercury Milan. Ford owns an important stake in the company.

Subaru - Think all wheel drive and you may just think Subaru. The Forester, Outback, and Legacy are all top selling Subaru models. Fuji Heavy Industries [FHI] owns Subaru; General Motors has a 20 percent stake in FHI.

Suzuki - 20% owned by General Motors, Suzuki is as noted for producing cars as it is for manufacturing motorcycles. The Grand Vitara is one of its most noted models.

Isuzu - Did someone say General Motors? Again, GM owns a stake in Isuzu. At one time Isuzu imported cars to the US, but those days are over. Currently, Isuzu has a miniscule presence and the two vehicles they do sell - the Ascender SUV and I Series pick ups - are simply rebadged GMC vehicles.

Daihatsu - The Charade and Rocky were two models introduced by Daihatsu when the car company started selling vehicles in North America in 1988; four years later its North American operations were closed. In 1999, Toyota assumed controlling interest over the company.

So, there you have it: there are nine Japanese automakers, two of which are still independent. Much like the American market further consolidation is likely with nameplates disappearing entirely just like the Packard, Hudson, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, and a host of other North American nameplates have driven off into the history books.

Toyota Tundra Joining the List of America's Most Popular US Made Vehicles

2010-09-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

An automotive sales index online has identified the Toyota Tundra as one of the best-selling vehicles built in America and its partly attributed to the new Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Inc. plant in San Antonio.

And for the first time, the Tundra which was built at the facilities in Princeton, Ind., and San Antonio with parts made like the Toyota control arm bushing kits primarily in American factories has finally made it into Cars.com's American Made Index.

Every year the American Made Index identifies the top 10 models of vehicles that are in essence American and that pertains to where parts are produced and also with regards to the vehicles popularity among cars.com buyers.

So far the top produced "American" vehicle according to the index is the Ford F-150 which is primarily assembled in Claycomo, Mo., and Dearborn, Mich. The Toyota Camry on the other hand which is assembled in Georgetown, Ky., and Lafayette, Ind., ranked second only.

The Fort Wayne Ind., and Pontiac, Mich.-built Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ranked third while the Lordstown, Ohio-built Chevrolet Cobalt ranked fourth and the Wayne, Mich.-built Ford Focus ranked fifth.

Toyota's Tundra came in at 10th place on the list. The Chicago-based cars.com works with more than 200 newspapers, television stations and their Web sites to buy and sell new and used vehicles.

Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures LLC which is a company owned by media conglomerates Belo Corp., Gannett Co. Inc., The McClatchy Co., Tribune Co., and The Washington Post Co.

About Toyota

Toyota is a Japanese multinational corporation and the world's largest automaker by sales revenue as of 2007 toppling General Motors in the position. Together with its half-owned subsidiary Daihatsu, the company was the second largest auto company by revenue of $179 billion and total vehicle production, making it as one of the most profitable automaker with net income of around $11 billion. Toyota was also the world's eight largest company by revenue last 2006.

Toyota owns and operates Toyota, Lexus, Scion, and parts of Daihatsu brands, divisions, and companies. The company includes 522 subsidiaries.

Toyota and Subaru As Partners

2010-09-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

Just recently General Motors, currently the World's second largest car manufacturer, rejected to take the 8.7% stake of what Fuji Heavy Industries is offering. Instead it was snapped up quickly by the World's largest automobile maker Toyota Motors, making it now having around 16.5% of the overall stake of Fuji Heavy Industries.

Fuji Heavy Industries, better known to be the parent company of the car brand Subaru, will now be putting on their new GM-Subaru design to a halt, and start making cars that Toyota wants. Rumors had that both companies are working on a current coupe model which will see the first product that the new partnership's effort.

Toyota is currently the global leader in automotive industry, with Daihatsu, Lexus, Scion under its belt, Subaru as an addition will strengthen the company's stand in the game. With the outrageous number of cars Toyota sells each year, people can actually see that the numbers of Toyota cars on the road is more than the other marques. Subaru had earned the respect from a long line of Motor Sports heritage. By joining up with Toyota, Subaru may take advantage of the hybrid technology Toyota uses to create their own green cars, and Toyota will be able to develop better handling cars using technologies in the Subaru All Wheel Drive (AWD) system.

Many car models are jointly developed by few companies these days. For instance the Toyota Aygo, which is also called the Citroen C1 and the Peugeot 107. Apart from that partnership also grants companies to develop better cars for the sake of a better world together. Nissan - Renault, Toyota - Daihatsu, and others are well known. Still, when can we start to see the new brand 'Toyaru' and 'Subota', to appear in a hybrid car, perhaps in the year 2011.

Automotive Industry - A Global Diversification Approach

2010-09-01T08:44:00.003-07:00

The automotive industry today clearly shows that major car manufacturers around the world are trying to stand out big and strong in the global market today. With higher percentage of penetration into the global market only can a major car company succeed in monopolizing the entire industry with their aim, concept, and strategies.

Leading the pack now is Toyota Motor Corporation, which has subsidiaries and other brands such as Lexus, Hino, Scion and Daihatsu. Toyota owns 51% of Daihatsu, meaning that Toyota has the advantage of controlling the popular Japanese compact car ("Kei-car") manufacturer. Having the Lexus as their premium brand with a fast growing sales figure in the European countries, it poses a threat to other European marques as a strong contender in both luxury and super cars. Toyotas can be seen everywhere around the world from its super minis to sedans and pickups. It has been a market icon for affordable and reliable cars. Toyota also recently bought a portion of Fuji Heavy Industries which is the parent company to Subaru with an upcoming joint developed model to be announced soon.

Another strong leader is the Volkswagen group. Being a carmaker based in Germany, it has acquired many other marques such as Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, SEAT, Scania, and Skoda. Volkswagen AG has now become the largest car company in Germany apart from BMW, Daimler, and Porsche. In fact, Porsche holds a major part of Volkswagen, for both of these companies are in fact a close partner. With the Chinese manufacturing their models of Volkswagen under FAW (First Automobile Works) and Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive, it is clear that everyone wants a piece of the big dragon to see their future standings in China.

Other involvements between companies includes the Suzuki SX4 being a joint developed project of the Japanese company with Italian carmaker FIAT. While naming it FIAT Sedici, we will see both similar models on the streets but Suzuki will market it in the Asian market while FIAT will be selling theirs in the European countries. The same happens to other models like the Peugeot 107, Citroen C1, and Toyota Aygo are actually the same car just that they are marketed in different markets.

Automotive Industry - A Global Diversification Approach

2010-09-01T08:44:00.001-07:00

Volkswagen Polo 3 Cylinder Gets More Miles Than Toyota Hybrid

2010-09-01T08:42:00.001-07:00

Nowadays it is either Hybrids or Diesels and Volkswagen, our friendly neighborhood car manufacturer, has taken economy and the meaning of green a small step further by launching the latest Polo Bluemotion TDI. The small step taken is the fact that it has chopped off one cylinder from the four cylinder diesel and it is only 1.2-litres in size. This was recently paraded at the 31st International Vienna Motor Symposium.

1.2-litres, diesel, a turbo and three cylinders makes 74bhp and about 180Nm at 2,000rpm. This should be more than adequate to move the Polo Bluemotion TDI in city traffic. As an example, the petrol 1.5-litre Subaru Impreza has only about 142Nm torque made higher up the rev range of 3,200rpm.

Three cylinders also mean less engine weight and frictional power losses, and VW says that it has produced the best in terms of the most performance, maximum "acoustic comfort" and weight reduction from this configuration without compromising the engine's thermodynamic efficiency (some say that each cylinder should be around 333cc to around 600cc for efficient combustion to happen).

Well, the only three cylinder I've driven are the ones fitted on the smallest of the Peroduas sold around here. The Daihatsu three pot engines used are not the last word of refinement and are thrummy in nature, it has an off-beat warble that is kind of "full of character" so to speak. However these engines are petrol, and not diesel. So this Volkswagen may be slightly rough, but since it has the latest common rail injection and the turbo is a variable geometry unit, it could be as smooth as those petrol Daihatsu engines. So an assumption is made that there will not be too much refinement lost anyway.

Now back to the story at hand. According to Volkswagen, this car is expected to achieve 3.3-litres per 100 km while emitting only 87 g/km of CO2. The previous gen Polo Bluemotion's claimed figures was 3.8-litres per 100 km. So smaller is better for diesel sipping.

Bluemotion measures include stop/start functions (for those longer than usual traffic light waiting), higher gearing (It is hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission which boasts extra-long ratios - fifth gives 35mph for every 1,000rpm), regenerative braking, tweaked aerodynamics and 14inch low rolling resistance tires on special alloy wheels. The air-conditioning has been removed in this model as well, similarly to the electric adjustment for the door mirror and the remote central locking. So much for getting yourself some cool air during the sunny weather then.

It is already on sale in Europe where oil burners like this is king nowadays. Now who in their right frame of mind would go buy a Toyota Prius which uses a hefty 4.7litres per 100km of petrol? A hybrid makes no sense after this. Buy a diesel. This diesel car saves more of the black stuff than that purportedly green hybrid. In other words, more money saved as well. And if you were to ask me, I'd say way to go, Volks!

Daihatsu Motor Company - Bringing Pride to Japan

2010-09-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

The Daihatsu Motor Company Ltd. is a vehicle fabricator who has its foundation and head office positioned in Japan. This Japanese automobile producer is generally acknowledged as Daihatsu and it is well-known for its construction of compacted automobiles and tiny vehicles that are recognized in Japan like kei jihosha.

The Daihatsu Charade is in point of fact one of the automobiles that this vehicle producer has fashioned. And this motor vehicle is in point of fact a subcompact vehicle, building it fit adequately in the row of automobiles that this group has been fabricating. The Daihatsu Charade was instinctive in 1977. It lived all the way through quite a few decades until the 2000 when its construction was cut short. On the other hand, the corporation thinks that this motor vehicle is in point of fact a large compacted vehicle. This is most expected for the reason that the Daihatsu Charade is the major condensed car that the corporation has fashioned in comparison to all the other compacted automobiles in its row of motor vehicles.

History of Daihatsu:

The preceding Daihatsu Charade was acknowledged in the auto globe to have moved out through 4 detailed generations:

1) The first age band was identified as G10 and it stayed all the way through the years 1977 till the year 1983. It was finished obtainable as a rear door that either seized 3 doors or 4 doors. Its authority came through a 993 cc locomotive with 3 cylinders and may well fabricate 50 horsepower of thrust.

2) The second age band, recognized as G11, stayed all the way through the year 1983 till the year 1987. The body approaches presented was still the unchanged. On the other hand, as per the control, there were quite a few distinctions of the locomotive. There in addition was a 5 speed physical transmission made obtainable.

3) The third age group of the Daihatsu which was acknowledged as G100, it stayed all the way through the year 1987 till the year 1994. This moment around, the sub condensed automobile had neat levels obtainable for this motor vehicle. The motor vehicle in addition had characteristics similar to the following:

o a sunroof
o power windows
o air conditioning
o A power steering

In the US, the Daihatsu was put up for sale with an elevated value and was not advertised well so much in order that it sold inadequately in this region.

Will Suzuki Exit the US Market?

2010-09-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

The automotive brand graveyard is littered with many American names. Packard. Plymouth. DeSoto. Saturn. Oldsmobile. Kaiser. AMC. Pontiac. Hudson. Rambler. Scores more can be included and more are likely to follow suit.

But it isn't just the American brands that have died or departed from the US market as several foreign brands have discovered that they, too, have a difficult time making it in the most lucrative, but competitive car market in the world. Renault. Yugo. Citroen. Daihatsu. Peugeot. Alfa Romeo. Isuzu. Tight competition weeds out the weaklings while emboldening the strong players who are eager to step in and step it up.

Declining Suzuki

Suzuki is a Japanese automaker whose fortunes are in decline in the US market. Popular in Japan and in India, the Suzuki brand is more noteworthy for selling motorcycles then they are cars, with its sales in a tailspin the past few years. Despite introducing a quality midsize Kizashi sedan for 2010, Suzuki is finding it difficult to sell more cars in a month than what GM, Toyota, Ford and others sell in a day.

Yes, as recently as 2007, Suzuki routinely sold more than 100,000 vehicles annually, but for 2010 those numbers may fall by two-thirds. This comes as every other automaker puts the deep recession behind it, selling many more cars in 2010 than they did in 2009. But not Suzuki.

Sales Loss

So where does the blame lie for Suzuki's dismal showing? With sales down 60 percent for the first quarter of 2010 those numbers are in stark comparison to the 15 percent increase the industry is seeing for the first quarter. Only Chrysler with sales down by 10 percent for the year is losing customers, but that can be understood considering its bankruptcy collapse, restructuring and aged product line.

And that last notation, aged product line, may have something to do with why Suzuki has lost its mojo.

Aged Models

The Kizashi is new, attractive and decently priced, the lone new model in the Suzuki fleet. But, it also competes against at least two dozen other midsize sedans in the most crowded and competitive segment. Good effort, but when buyers are looking at the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Mercury Milan, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata and many other models, the Kizashi gets lost in the shuffle.

The Equator is a capable compact pickup truck, but it is sourced from Nissan. Sold as the Frontier by Nissan, few serious truck buyers are looking at Suzuki in the first place, with most preferring to buy directly from Nissan.

The Grand Vitara also operates at a disadvantage. The second generation model was introduced for 2006, had a mid-cycle refresh in 2008, but the style of the crossover is plain and outdated. The Nissan Rogue, Mitsubishi Outlander and Kia Sportage are newer, better equipped and better sellers. The Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are additional competitors, capable crossovers at that.

The SX4 is the main line of Suzuki vehicles, compact cars and crossovers that should sell well. But, even with all wheel drive available, American car buyers have many other small car choices to choose from including new cars from Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford and others. Nothing distinctive about the SX4, so why look at Suzuki?

Last Hurrah?

Suzuki's sales are falling through the floor which suggests that the brand isn't long for the US market. India has emerged as the right market for Suzuki cars and with Volkswagen now holding approximately 20 percent of Suzuki's shares, the German automaker may tell its Japanese partner to expend its sources in markets where it is succeeding.

Yes, Suzuki can still reclaim its mojo in America but at what price? It can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to bring out a new model, but with sales under a few thousand units per month this Japanese automaker may find joining Daihatsu and Isuzu in making a US exit is the best strategy for the company.

Daihatsu Motor Company - Bringing Pride to Japan

2010-09-01T08:33:00.001-07:00

Understanding Your Car's Air Intake System

2010-09-01T08:32:00.002-07:00

The air intake system is a car part that needs full attention all the time.

It is carefully built and tuned for an automobile to experience the maximum efficiency and power. It is the part of the internal combustion engine that is a powerful air pump. Its function is to increase the velocity of the air until such time that it travels in to the combustion chamber. This is done at the same time while minimizing the turbulence and restriction of flow. The intake works by testing the flow of air on a flow bench in the port design stage.

To tremendously improve the car's performance, extensive tweaking of the intake system is found on cars with turbochargers or superchargers that provide a pressurized intake system.

Consumers nowadays mostly prefer modern cars. And these cars also require a modern air intake system that has 3 major parts, namely an air filter, mass flow sensor, and throttle body. In order to reduce the noise that enters the cabin, more recent cars now have silencer. This car part hinders the flow of air and creates turbulence that reduces total power. In effect, many performance fanatics often remove the silencers.

Specific lengths of air intakes are designed for the air to vibrate and be available at a specific frequency. This assists the flow of air into the combustion chamber. To minimize the restriction of flow at the cost of changing the pattern of the air intake for a small net increase in power or torque, the aftermarket industry now has larger throttle bodies and air filters.

In the case of your Daihatsu car, if you feel any damage in its air intake, the Daihatsu oxygen sensor might be in trouble. Check your owner's manual and know how to solve.

As a car owner, you need to know other things about your air intake system. One of which is the process of how the air and the fuel that needs to burn get into the cylinders.

In a carburetor equipped engine, the air comes into the space for air filter. Air passes through the air filter and then into the carburetor where the fuel is blended with it. Through the intake manifold, it passes. And then it is drawn into the cylinders.

The Air Temperature Sensor is the most advanced part of the air intake system. This prevents carburetor icing that might cause your vehicle to stall and die out. It also facilitates vaporization of the fuel into the air stream. Moreover, it is used to gauge the temperature of air. It also allows cool air in through the air horn or heated air piped in from around an exhaust manifold. And this is done through opening and closing a flap.

However, you cannot accurately measure the incoming air for the appropriate fuel mixture. Nonetheless, for an idle car, you can use emission analyzer. Then, adjust the fuel mixture. Remember that you cannot attain the right fuel mixture at higher speeds.

While some car manufacturers do not recommend carburetor adjustments, some manufacturers recommend carburetor adjustments on a dynamometer with the engine under load.

Vehicles using fuel injection, air is drawn in through the air intake. It is a long plastic tube that transcends up to the space for the air filter. The intake tube is long because it must make the air move in a fairly steady, coherent stream. Through the air filter and then followed by the air flow meter, the air passes.

The vane type and the hot wire type are the two types of AFMs. The first one contains a flap that is forced by the incoming air. More flaps are forced back when there is more amount of air that is coming in. A potentiometer that is attached to the flap sends a signal of voltage to the Power train Control Module (PCM). Behind the main vane is a second vane. This fits into a closed camber which suppresses the movement of the vane. In effect, a more accurate measurement is given. An Air Temperature Sensor, which functions exactly as it does in the carbureted engine, is also built into the vane AFM.

On the other hand, the hot wire AFM utilizes a series of wires strung in the air stream. The wire resistance at normal operating temperature is held constant; it will allow a set voltage through it. The air cools as it passes through the hot wire. And during this process, the wire resistance diminishes. As a result, it allows passing through more voltage. The signal of the voltage then goes to the main EFI computer. There, it allows the fuel mixture to be adjusted. And then, from the AFM, it goes to the throttle chamber.

The air that flows into the engine is controlled by the chamber. The car comes in an idle mode when the throttle chamber is closed. A small bypass chamber allows a small amount of air to bypass the throttle plate and proceed into the engine.

The Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) and the Cold Start Valve are among the other essential parts of the air intake system.

And so this is how the air intake system works and how air enters the engine. Having knowledge on this will lessen your ignorance when it comes to intake matters. A frequent owner's manual browsing will also help a lot.

The Four Generations of the Daihatsu Charade

2010-09-01T08:32:00.001-07:00

The Four Generations of the Daihatsu Charade

2010-09-01T08:31:00.001-07:00

Daihatsu Cuore, Many Features Packed In One Small Vehicle

2010-09-01T08:30:00.002-07:00

Since the year 1980, the world has already been introduced to the Daihatsu Cuore. This vehicle has constantly been in production since that year and until present, manufacture and production for this vehicle has still not halted. It runs under the Daihatsu brand and is classified and categorized as a hatchback. In Japan, which is the home country of the Daihatsu Cuore, this vehicle is known and marketed as the Daihatsu Mira. However, in other places around the world, this same vehicle is also known as Daihatsu Domino or the Daihatsu Charade.

The Daihatsu Cuore has been made available in two body style options which are both hatchbacks however the difference lies in the number of doors that it has. One holds three doors while another holds five. This vehicle from the 1980s actually replaced the Daihatsu Fellow when the latter's production was halted. The Daihatsu Cuore shares most of its components with other Daihatsu vehicles like the Daihatsu Leeza, the Daihatsu Move, the Daihatsu YRV, the Daihatsu Copen, the Daihatsu Terios, and the Daihatsu Opti. This vehicle's competition include the Suzuki Altoworks, the Mitsubishi Dangun ZZ, the Subaru Vivio, and the Suzuki Cervo.

The company markets the Daihatsu Cuore as a new variety and entry to the mini car segment and it claims that this vehicle would serve as an avenue for channeling changes to this category. The present version of the Daihatsu Cuore is more elegant and has a style that appeals greatly to the younger buyers. It has also been made available with a range of bright and vivid body color choices which comprise of Black Mica, Blue Mica Metallic, Champagne Metallic Opal, Lavender Metallic Opal, Red, Rose Metallic Opal, Silver Metallic, and White.

Despite the fact that the Daihatsu Cuore is a small car, one who would take a further look at the vehicle would know that this vehicle has a whole lot things to offer. In fact, in its segment, it is considered as the most spacious. It also comes with safety and comfort features that are of high quality. Daihatsu claims that the Daihatsu Cuore holds a very fine design compared to the rest of the vehicles in its class. As a petrol car, this vehicle delivers and performs with a fuel economy that is considered as the best in this category.

Daihatsu Copen 1.3-liter Headed for the UK Market

2010-09-01T08:30:00.001-07:00

The Mitshubishi Lancer

2010-09-01T08:29:00.001-07:00

The Mitshubishi Lancer, a famous family car series manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. It has various names around the world from different times, for example, Colt Lancer, Chrysler Valiant Lancer, Eagle Summit, Chrysler Lancer, and Mitsubishi Mirage.

Since 2009 it has been sold under the brand name of Galant Fortis in its Japanese home market. In 2007, Sep. 15, Lancer Fortis, a different version of Galant Fortis with a different facelift begun to sold in Taiwan market.

Mitshubishi Lancer has been sold more that 6 million since its first launch in 1973.

The original Mitshubishi Lancer was underpowered and not really that entertaining to drive. The interior is was just fine. But the styling of the series is extremely dull. These have been changed a lot in its 2nd generation model, esp. the new astounding styling that features in a "shark nose" facade.

And owing to the newly added solid handling dynamics (in addition to the base engine) and a new peppy engine choice, it is also somewhat fun to drive.

As a whole, Mitshubishi Lancer has been improved greatly from generation to generation. And it has been considered one of the best family car models in years. In 2008, the present generation of the Mitshubishi Lancer first came out.

The first Mitshubishi Lancer was launched at the year of 2002 to replace Mirage sedan. At the beginning, it came in 3 trim levels: ES,O-Z Rally as well as LS. The ES includes a series of fantastic features such as air-conditioning, CD player and power accessories.

At the meantime, the O-Z Rally trim gave a sports car look owing to special upgrades for interior in addition to the 15-inch O-Z alloy wheels.

The LS stood out with ABS and a cruise control and a fancy remote keyless entry. All these trims came with a 120-hp 2 liter engine as well as a 5-speed manual transmission. LS has a 4-speed automatic and later become available as an option in the other two models.

Fast and Furious - Cars in Film

2010-09-01T08:28:00.000-07:00

When Universal launched the Fast and the Furious series of street racing films, they only expected only a modest return. Although street racing was getting a lot of press attention and the popularity of modified imports were exploding, the movies was never expected to be a blockbuster. However, the film was an unexpected summer hit. It grossed $40,089,015 on its opening weekend, surpassing the film's $38 million budget. It may have been the media buzz and gear head buzz surrounding the movies that caused an explosion in the box office and gave global insight and curiosity into the supercharged social scene of racing and customizing cars.

Two of the films' stars that caused the movies to thunder in the box office, were the Mazda RX7 and the Mitsubishi Eclipse. One of Japan's largest automotive aftermarket companies, Veilside, built the Mazda RX7 that was later filmed in Fast and Furious to show off its "Fortune" wide-body kit at the 2005 Tokyo Auto Salon. At the time of the show, the car was painted red, and it had everything a show car should - an HKS T04Z single-turbo conversion kit, a massive intercooler shoved under the front bumper, big Rotora brakes, A'PEXi coil-over shocks and vast 19-inch Andrew Evo-V wheels inside P255/30ZR19 front and P305/25ZR19 rear Toyo Proxes radials.

For the Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift, the same Mazda RX7 was painted Sunset Orange Pearl and Veilside built three more visual clones, including one that was destined for destruction using a previous Mazda RX7 that had appeared in both previous Fast and Furious movies. One of the cars used in the previous Fast and Furious movie was Dominic Toretto's red RX.

In the sequel to the Fast & Furious, 2 Fast, 2 Furious, the character Roman Pierce was given a new partner in his adventure, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder with a Snyper Body Kit. The car was personally picked by John Singleton for Pierce to drive and the car came equipped with a Vortech Supercharger V5 G trim, HKS Blow valve, HKS AFR (fuel management controller), RC engineering 270cc injectors, Boost Variant Fuel Pressure Regulator with Gauge and a Magnecor 8.5mil Competition wires and a license plate that said "H8TER."

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder had the most elaborate paint job of any of the cars built for any of the Fast & Furious movies. The patchwork design on the car were not graphics but painted on with House of Kolors paint. It was one of the few cars in the film that wasn't destroyed although a total of four were made for the filming. It is rumored that the car exhaust was swapped with a Subaru WRX.

Like all cars in the Fast & Furious series, both cars were heavily reinforced with a roll cage for bridge jumping. Also there was so much neon lighting used in the cars that a technical specialist whose expertise was in shooting neon on film was kept on set at all times. This obviously cost a lot more and cut into the budget but it made the film authentic.

Bolivia's Lithium Quandary

2010-09-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

In one of the more remote regions on the planet, high in the Andes, lies the Salar de Uyuni, the famed salt flats stretch across more than 4,000 square miles in Potosi, Bolivia, well known for the fabulous wealth in silver extracted there by the Spanish in colonial times. Now a new age of mining could bring a 21st century El Dorado for the impoverished South American nation, as geologists believe that more than half the world's reserves of lithium may lie under the salt pans.

Government officials claim that Bolivia possesses the world's biggest lithium reserves, and they also believe the country is poised to profit from car manufacturers which are driving to develop electric cars that will run on lithium ion batteries.

"Bolivia will become a big producer in six years of batteries," Luis Alberto Echazu, the minister of mining and metallurgy, said in an interview. He ticked off three companies that he said have expressed interest in investing in the government's lithium venture: Sumitomo, Mitsubishi and Bollore, a French company.

Lithium is the lightest metal and the least-dense solid. It's typically extracted from beneath salt flats, currently about 70% of the world's supplies come from Chile and Argentina. The U.S. Geological Survey says 5.4 million tons of lithium could potentially be extracted in Bolivia, compared with 3 million in Chile, 1.1 million in China. Independent geologists estimate that Bolivia may have further lithium deposits at Uyuni and its other salt deserts, though high altitudes and the quality of the reserves could make access & extraction difficult.

While estimates vary widely, some geologists say electric-car manufacturers could draw on Bolivia's lithium deposits for decades. More importantly, the US is estimated to have less than 400,000 metric tonnes available for exploitation within its borders. While lithium batteries don't currently power hybrid vehicles, analysts think that the fuel-efficient electric cars of the future likely will use them. With an estimated 20,000 tons of lithium carbonate expected yearly from the salt flats, a rising demand for lithium for electric car batteries, and with the price of a ton of lithium up from $350 in 2003 to $3,000 this year, a potential bonanza beckons for socialist President Evo Morales.

"There are salt lakes in Chile and Argentina, and a promising lithium deposit in Tibet, but the prize is clearly in Bolivia," Oji Baba, an executive in Mitsubishi's Base Metals Unit, said in La Paz. "If we want to be a force in the next wave of automobiles and the batteries that power them, then we must be here."

Mitsubishi is not alone in planning to produce cars using lithium-ion batteries. Ailing car manufacturers in the United States are pinning their hopes on lithium. General Motors (NYSE - GM) plans to roll out its Volt in 2010, pairing a lithium-ion battery along with a petrol engine. Nissan, Ford and BMW, among other carmakers, have similar projects.

Demand for lithium, has climbed as makers of batteries for BlackBerrys, iPhones, laptops & other electronic devices use the mineral. But the automotive industry holds the biggest untapped potential for lithium, analysts say. Since it weighs less than nickel, which is also used in batteries, it would allow electric cars to store more energy and be driven longer distances.

However, President Evo Morales & Bolivias powerful popular movement are suspicious of foreign companies & have a track record of arbritary dealings with foreign concerns, as Brazil found out in 2006, when Morales nationalised all natural gas concerns in Bolivia, including operations by UK producer BP (NYSE - BP). The end result being that foreign companies have halted all investment in Bolivian opportunities.

"There are fairly significant barriers to developing the resource in Bolivia," said Timothy McKenna, vice president of investor relations at Rockwood Holdings, one of the three major lithium producers in Latin America.

At the La Paz headquarters of Comibol, the state agency that oversees mining projects, Mr. Morales's vision of combining socialism with advocacy for Bolivia's Indians is prominently on display. Copies of Cambio, a new state-controlled daily newspaper, are available in the lobby, while posters of Che Guevara, the leftist icon killed in Bolivia in 1967, appear at the entrance to Comibol's offices.

"The previous imperialist model of exploitation of our natural resources will never be repeated in Bolivia," said Saúl Villegas, head of a division in Comibol that oversees lithium extraction. "Maybe there could be the possibility of foreigners accepted as minority partners, or better yet, as our clients."

A potential model may already be in place, India's Jindal Steel & Power signed a $2.1 billion deal in 2008 for the exploitation of iron reserves in south-eastern Bolivia, near the border with Brazil. This will allow Jindal, India's leading steel producer, to develop 50% of El Mutun, widely believed to be the biggest untapped iron ore deposit in the world, along with steel making facilities. With an estimated 40 billion tons of iron ore reserve, El Mutun is expected to generate $200 million a year for Bolivia, plus up to 21,000 jobs when the commercial production of steel begins in 2010. It is heavily rumoured that Jindal won the concession due to its environmental track record. In 2007, Jindal was awarded India's National Energy Conservation Award in the Integrated Steel Plants Sector for its success in protecting the environment by adopting eco-friendly processes and activities.

The opportunity to enrich the nation is there & a careful balance between foreign technological & financial assistance in developing the deposits, whilst providing an economical & ecological bias for Bolivia is obviously required. The real question is can Morales walk the tight rope between populist politics & reality ? My opinion, he will get there, as has recently been seen, collapsing oil prices have had a major negative effect on Venezuela & Hugo Chavez influence in the region & beyond. So one route for Foreign Direct Investment looks to be closed. Morales is a sharp operator & I can see him letting foreign firms into partnership with Comibol, but definitely on Bolivian terms.

Paul Harper is a telecoms consultant currently based in Switzerland. Following a number of years working across Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, he has developed an interest in emerging markets & maintains a blog to that effect. MyStockVoice provides an insight into emerging markets & more specifically opportunities in telecoms, commodities & energy plays. Paul writes with a view to providing information for a Western audience, showcasing opportunities for

Top 10 Gas Scooters

2010-09-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

Many manufacturers of gas scooters have come and gone in the past 10 years. It has become a very competitive industry; especially since the influx of cheaper Chinese brand clones entering the U.S. market. That being said, the quality gap between USA made and Chinese made scooters still heavily tilts in favor of the USA branded scooters. It is no surprise that 10 out of the 10 top gas scooters are all USA made scooters.

1. EVO 2X Powerboard

The Evo 2X is a third generation gas scooter from Puzey Design. The Evo brand powerboards are the highest quality products on the market and the fastest scooters ever built. The 2-speed gearbox is a patented, unique drive system that is the heart of the Evo 2X. It is the first two speed scooter in the world.

The range of applications of powerboards and scooters have thus far been limited by low revving, low horsepower engines. Now with the 2-speed gearbox, you can have the power when pulling off, or going uphill, in first gear and have the top speed with 2nd gear. Steep hill climbs for riders over 250lbs are no problem for the Evo 2X.

Another technological advancement found in the Evo 2X is the patented Cam-Link suspension. It is a true suspension system that offers a smooth ride, while offering excellent resistance when landing after jumps. Once you try it you will simply see there is nothing like it. This suspension is the strongest, most robust front suspension in the industry today.

The Evo 2X is one of the most reliable scooters ever produced. The steel and T6 aluminum frame are nearly indestructible. There have been reports of Evo scooters going 1300 miles without even replacing a belt.

Things you'll never have to replace include:

The Frame and Suspension - Even though this scooter is largely designed with light weight aluminum, it is reinforced with steel where necessary. This makes the frame and structure of the scooter nearly indestructible.

The Engine - The Active 50 is not only an impressive power plant, it is also one of the most reliable engines available. A properly maintained engine which is run on 91+ octane fuel with a proper mix (1:40 - 1:50) will last the life of the scooter.

The Deck - The Evo 2X comes with one of the sturdiest decks available for a scooter. Although it is aluminum, it is unbelievably resilient to scratching and will never bend or crack.

2. Go-Ped GTR46i - Trail Ripper Interceptor

The Goped GTR Interceptor is an on-road, street racing version of the Goped GTR46 Trail Ripper. This high-performance Go-Ped now comes with the following modifications:

New quieter exhaust system
Smooth ride AT Primo Duro Trap aggressive treaded street tires
Higher speed, better fuel economy
Quieter GSR46R 6-76 sprocket drive ratio
These modifications make the Go-Ped GTR46i perfect for those that want to experience the fully suspended plush ride on paved and unpaved surfaces that comes only from the race proven and patented CIDLI suspension system. Dubbed C.I.D.L.I. for Cantilevered Independent Dynamic Linkless Indispension, this unique front and rear swing arm system is indispensable to this practical and fun light weight off-road machine.

3. Go-Ped Riot

The Go-Ped Riot was introduced along side the Go-Ped GTR46 as a pitbike like "scooter". Like the GTR46, the Go-Ped Riot features front and rear CIDLI suspension.

Using the patented Trail Ripper adjustable suspension system in the front and rear, it offers riders great off-roading capabilities with 6" of travel on each end. Powered by the powerful Go-Ped GP460RS engine geared at 6:98, the rugged and highly reliable Go-Ped Riot gives excellent bottom end and a stock top speed of 30mph. The centrifugal clutch provides for a very user friendly yet thrill-packed ride.

4. Martin Monster Beast

The Martin Monster Beast is the most powerful MMI production scooter available. It comes stock with a 52cc Mitsubishi engine which has almost twice the torque as the RC230 powered scooters. Each Beast is hand built by a single technician.

The frame uses the same dual suspension system Martin Monsters has become famous for. The frame is show chromed and hand polished. The drive chain is a robust 35 pitch heavy duty chain with a centrifugal clutch for easy stop-and-go use. The Beast is very powerful but also very quiet with tremendous reserves of power and torque. The Martin Monster Beast comes with an anti-vibration system for a very smooth vibration free ride. Many aftermarket performance parts are available to further customize your Beast.

5. Go-Ped GTR Roadster

The Goped GTR Roadster is an economy version of the Goped GTR46i. With the exception of the smaller Chung Yang GPL290 engine and welded T-bar handlebars, the GTR Roadster is the exact same scooter.

This cool scooter features the race proven, patented, adjustable and bullet proof GTR full 6" CIDLI suspension frame. To that we've installed the incredibly light, yet powerful and quieter GPL290 engine with TT tires and sprocket drive ratios of the GSR Cruiser.

6. Martin Monster Super Shocker

The Martin Monster Super Shocker is a dual purpose machine equally at home, off road, or on. It comes with 10" pneumatic knobby tires, to handle any terrain. The Super Shocker comes with a heavy duty automatic clutch which allows hands free stop-and-go operation.

This is the first and the best production scooter to use full suspension. The front suspension is telescoping motorcycle style and the rear is mono shock absorbing with up to 4" of travel. A drilled front disk brake gives sure fast stopping. Power from the Martin Monster Super Shocker is by the Komatsu Zenoah RC230 engine with 2.5HP.

7. EVO 2 Powerboard

The Evo 2 is a third generation gas scooter from Puzey Design. The Evo brand powerboards are the highest quality products on the market and the fastest scooters ever built. The 2-speed gearbox is a patented, unique drive system that is the heart of the Evo 2X. It is the first two speed scooter in the world.

The Evo 2 is a high-performance, two speed scooter released as a more economical version of the Evo 2X. Unlike its big-brother, the Evo 2 does not have front suspension or a scrub board to protect the under-deck area. Rather than the impressive Active 50, the Evo 2 sports the milder Active 40 engine.

Since the Evo 2 does have the two speed transmission of the Evo 2X, it still does perform impressively despite the lack of performance in the Active 40 engine. If the Evo 2 is being used purely for transportation, the Active 40 will provide enough power along with the two speed transmission, but if any real speed is desired, an engine upgrade should be the first step.

That being said, the Evo 2 is one of the most reliable scooters ever produced

8. Go-Ped Super GSR46R

The Go-Ped GSR46R is one of the most powerful street scooters released by Go-Ped. It is intended to be a street-only scooter since it lacks any form of frame-based suspension. When it was released, the GSR46R, Go-Ped marketed it as the fastest production scooter in the world. Although the claim is debatable, it could very well have been true due to the high speeds attainable with the large R460 engine.

Developed on the legendary GSR40Tsi - Interceptor Go-Ped - the Super GSR46R is powered by the same motor as on the fearless Trail Ripper GTR46. Equipped with a patent pending centrifugal clutch chain drive mechanism geared at 6/76, the GP460RS engine delivers 4.2HP and 2.31 ft-lbs torque with a 17,500 redline, providing for excellent performance at low and high speeds. Tunable, it can even reach 5.5+ HP and 2.6+ ft-lbs of torque with the addition of an aftermarket expansion chamber.

The front and rear Mad Dog disc brakes provide excellent braking performance perfectly matched for the power output of the Go-Ped Super GSR46R.

All of Patmont Motor Werks finest racing components come standard: Heavy duty 4130 chromoly steel frame and double sided fork, pneumatic TT tires mounted with magnesium rims and 20" Motorcycle style "Tim Patmont bend" racing handlebars fitted with a slide tube clamp, billet stem pro clamp, Go-Ped race pad and Pro control levers.

9. Martin Monster Moto

The Martin Monster Moto is a full suspension, chain driven scooter which inherited much of its design from its older brother, the Martin Monster Beast. The Moto's advanced design features include such technical innovations as an anti-vibration system, which provides for a smooth vibration free ride. Other features include dual disk brakes, heavy duty chain drive, automatic clutch and front & rear suspension.

10. Go-Ped GSR Cruiser

The GSR Cruiser is the perfect machine for the customer wanting a quiet, reliable and economical motorized scooter with good performance, but also for beginners wanting an affordable, safe and easy to learn first scooter. PMW believes it is the perfect machine for a very large segment of motorized scooter enthusiasts.

The Go-Ped GSR Cruiser is also the perfect machine for motor heads and the after market community, as chassis upgrades and screaming engine mods are widely available. The GSR Cruiser's power plant, the new GPL290, is based on the high performance GP290RS engine, designed to be a very reliable, quiet and economical cruiser. Top speeds for the GSR Cruiser are in the mid 20mph range, and its horse power is similar to the earlier GSR40.

Stopping power comes from the front Mad Dog brake caliper and double ground and hardened stainless steel Wave disc rotor. The rear brake mount is ready for the rear brake upgrade should the customer so choose to modify for more speed which needs more stopping power.

If you are interested in purchasing a gas scooter or want to learn more about gas scooters please visit our site at http://www.2kscooters.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnny_Mixx

Is A Bugatti Veyron Better Than A Pagani Zonda?

2010-09-01T08:25:00.000-07:00

Is a Bugatti Veyron better than a Pagani Zonda? It depends what you mean by better. Sure it is faster and more expensive. In theory it is more exclusive, but in practice any of these exotic cars is so exclusive it does not matter. What about the Ferrari FXX - now that is so exclusive you can't drive it on the road.

If you want to accelerate faster than anyone else you don't need a Bugatti. There are other cheaper cars that do the job. The Ultima GTR is one, and the Caparo T1 will be another. Maybe the SSC Ultimate Aero TT is another.

The Bugatti Veyron gets to 100 mph in about 5.5 seconds - the actual figure varies according to who timed it. However,the Ultima GTR can reach 10 mph in 5.3 seconds which is blisteringly quick - that was timed independently.

The Pagani Zonda is not as quick as that, taking 2 seconds more than the Veyron to get to 124 mph (200 km/h).But believe me, for practical purposes there is very little difference between the performance of these cars. In real life, the difference is smaller because neither the Zonda nor Ultima have turbochargers, so when you press the accelerator you get instant response; with the Bugatti you will wait an instant for the turbos to cut in.

Sure, the Veyron looks and sounds different from other cars, and if you like the looks. well, go for it.

On the other hand if you want a car that accelerates, handles, is very fast, beautifully finished, and causes excitement wherever it goes you might go for a Pagani Zonda or another exotic car, like the Ascari KZ1 or Saleen S7. The Ultima is the world champion for out-and-out acceleration and braking.

All depends what you want it for. Me, I fancy a Pagani, although it is not the prettiest of cars, but it sure has fantastic presence on the road.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Review

2010-09-01T08:23:00.000-07:00

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS

Mitsubishi gives entry-level a raise.

Mention the name Mitsubishi Lancer and thoughts of a fast, sinister-looking, sinfully fun car might spring to mind - just so long as the word "Evo" is in there somewhere. Unfortunately, the Lancer family has so far been a deeply divided one in which lesser models were left to languish with standardized styling, hand-me-down engineering, and few points of distinction. Factor in a lack of brand recognition and it's no wonder the Civic, Corolla, and Mazda 3 have blown compact car dust in Mitsubishi's face for six straight years.

The 2008 Lancer represents a determined effort to spread the excitement throughout the line. Under the Lancer's hood sits Mitsubishi's most original and high-tech four-cylinder engine in years, and the company's first-ever Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) comes with it. The Lancer's steering and suspension got tightened up, the packaging team dug up some extra human room in a new jazzed up cabin with more safety features, and new high-end electronics head the options list. Finally, the term "flame-surfaced styling" may be taken, but the new body looks hot just the same. Here in the land of Lancer, the minimum wage is now a living one.

Still, the interest of putting one's best foot forward motivated Mitsubishi to hand us a Lancer in top-dog GTS trim. In addition to its upgrades over the mid-line ES model - mean 18-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension, front strut tower brace, bigger brakes, Sportronic manual shifting, fog lights, spoiler, chrome exhaust, sport seats, six speakers, leather steering wheel and shift knob, automatic climate control, and Bluetooth phone connectivity - our test car was all teched out with the $1,500 Sun & Sound Package (sunroof, Rockford-Fosgate stereo, 6-disc MP3 CD changer, MP3 input jack, Sirius satellite radio) and the $2,000 Navigation & Technology Package (touch-screen navigation system, 30 GB hard drive, digital music server, and FAST Key entry). Ahh, just the way we like em: racy and rich.

Ride and Drive

Mitsubishi has been touting the "racy" part lately, and a few minutes of seat time backed it up in some ways. Low-flow power steering keeps the wheel nice and hefty in the enthusiast tradition. The new 2.0-liter motor takes a 27% quantum leap over the first Lancer to kick up 152 horsepower, and its vocal nature means you'll hear those horses charging. Unleash them however you wish; steering wheel shift paddles let your index finger summon any of six speeds on a whim. What an idea: an involving compact car.

And a capable one. Acceleration to 60 MPH takes 9 seconds (okay); braking back to a standstill takes 118 feet (great), and the tires hang on for 0.86g of grip in the corners (excellent). Accurate steering and predictable tire breakaway allow confidence in pushing the Lancer to its limits, and the transmission's CVT nature gives the paddles true trigger-finger response.

Yet the Lancer's sports car aspirations feel half-baked - possibly because the chef mixed up some ingredients. Steering stiffness may be at hand but true road feel is kept at arm's length, and the engineers mistakenly believed the engine's sheer loudness could compensate for its sounding like crap. Moreover, the Lancer is the latest evidence of Mitsubishi needing a new corporate diet plan. Our test model outporks the last-generation Galant by clocking in at 3,126 pounds, which explains why so many of those extra horses feel like they jumped the fence.

The Lancer also has quirks that hinder everyday enjoyment. The CVT seems to allow a fairly whimsical relationship between engine and road speed - a problem compounded by the way its throttle response starts out dead and then lunges ahead. Top it off with grabby braking action at low speeds and you have a daily driver with a fair share of spikes, surges, and dips. The high road noise and snappy, clompity ride specific to the GTS don't help impressions, either.

Still, one senses that the Lancer would ride comfortable on its sophisticated multilink rear suspension with different wheels and tires. Feelings of solidity and stability are present at all speeds, possibly because the Lancer's new body has been markedly stiffened. Standard antilock disc brakes (except on DE models) are rare for the class and stop the car in reassuringly short distances. The ability to score 28 MPG despite the GTS's aero add-ons and soft-compound tires is impressive (it got 24 overall), and the big new 15.3-gallon fuel tank allows 350-mile treks before lighting the Low Fuel light. The Lancer has its strengths; just know that most of them don't have much to do with sport.

Inside and Out

Yet Mitsubishi takes more stabs at sport on the inside. Like the Mazda 3, the Lancer dares to be different, filling the dash with all sorts of shapes and bulges while laying on the black-and-metal look that's so en vogue. These eyes find the effect a bit jarring, but the number of "cool!" remarks consigns me to the minority.

We can all agree that the Lancer's controls work well. Most controls follow standard Mitsubishi logic, making them easy to reach and read; Lancer also fares fine in the storage space and cupholders department. A feeling of fairly high quality can be found in most items (excepting the sun visors, which feel like Styrofoam-stuffed coathangers), FAST Key makes for easy access to doors and trunk, and finally, Mitsubishi deserves love for letting drivers row their own gears via both the steering wheel shift paddles and the standard transmission lever.

Lancers with navigation lose a few ergonomic points. This is one of those touch-screen systems that usurps the stereo controls, making you frequently search for the right menu and dig deep to make inputs. Its control and menu logic deviates a little from most Japanese systems, and the decision to line 12 flush buttons along the perimeter of the screen calls for too much eyes-off-the-road time.

But a slightly screwy interface in no way spoils the effectiveness of either system. The Lancer's 6-disc, MP3-compatible Rockford-Fosgate comes armed with no less than nine speakers and 650 watts, endowing it with great clarity, crisp highs, and bass that's sufficiently thunderous for the most underaged of ears. With a little more sonic "warmth" to go with all this sheer force, it could knock the Scion tC's Pioneers off their perch.

The navigation system could use a semester at grammar school and a bit more detail at any given magnification level, but it's pleasant enough to use and understand; its hard drive-based nature makes for quick computations; and rarest of rarities, it can be programmed while driving. Huzzah!

Comfort paints a similar picture: despite some minor footnotes, the Lancer's got the basics covered. The steering wheel and armrest seem a tad far and a tad low, but the driver's seat adjusts six ways, comes swathed in a nice felt-like fabric, and feels fine after five minutes or five hours. The back seat has a case of the high-beltline blues that gives the illusion of sitting in a hole, but rest assured, it feels better to the body than the mind. It's got you covered with decent legroom and footroom, even more hiproom than in front, and a cushion that's thankfully mounted higher than it was last year (it could be higher still). The reclined backrest angle will be more to some tastes than others.

Breaking It Down

So when all is said and done, has the Lancer's radical revamping changed its standing in the crowded compact class? Among sport compacts, we vote no. Compared to this Lancer GTS, the Mazda 3 s has more power driving fewer pounds, a more polished engine and transmission, and just a more fun "feel" while scoring just as high in all matters practical. Throw two-door cars in the picture and the same can be said of the Scion tC.

It's better to bet on the Lancer's mid-level ES model, whose comfort-oriented chassis is tuned more in line with the car's natural demeanor. Yet even against the good old Civic and Corolla, the Lancer's unharmonious powertrain still counts against it in refinement, and its fuel economy falls short of both by a few MPG.

That leaves the Lancer to fight back in other ways. First, it's the gadget guru. At present, only Scion can match the Lancer in the audio department, and only Honda and Mazda have navigation systems. Next, Mitsubishi's supreme warranty (5 years / 60,000 miles basic, 10 years / 100,000 powertrain) beats everyone in the industry save Hyundai and Kia, and its track record suggests it will be more reliable than either. Finally, the Lancer has one of the most competitive prices in the class, as the ES model's $17,515 sticker stands a thousand or two lower than the class leaders.

Last Word

Add it all up and the Lancer might be a decent buy for those who buy cars on cost and conveniences, but until Mitsubishi works on the Lancer's polish, poundage, and personality, that's the best recommendation we can give.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Gauges

2010-09-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

With Mitsubishi Eclipse Gauges, you are going to be able to know a lot of things that are going on and have a better chance at catching a problem early. However, there are a lot more benefits of having gauges that work on your vehicle. You need them to work for you if you are going to be able to have a high performing car. Some of the many benefits are:

1. Tells you what's going on in your car - Gauges tell you when there is a problem and when your vehicle is working properly. You have them in your car for many different reasons and every driver knows that you need to know what each gauge on your car means to avoid any accident relating to the maintenance of your vehicle. With the Mitsubishi Eclipse you are going to be able to perform well without having your gauges tell you different when you take care of your car with the check-ups.

2. Help you diagnose a problem - When you have that light flash on your gauges, you are going to know that there is a problem. The gauges are going to tell you exactly where the problem is and you can fix it or take it into service to diagnose the problem correctly. You are going to be able to save yourself a lot of money when you take care of the problem quickly by looking at your gauges. You don't need to be a mechanic to know that something is wrong with your car. With the Eclipse, you are going to seldom have a problem with your gauges, but it is always good to check on them.

3. Keeps you at bay - You don't speed, you don't overheat, and you check your engine when your light comes on. You are dependent on your car when you are driving and this is never a bad thing. When you are paying attention it keeps you from doing stupid things. Speed pedometer and your temperature gauge are only a few gauges that help keep your car healthy. You want to be able to fix the small problems so that you don't run into bigger problems in the future. It makes sense that you are going to be able to have a safer driving experience in your car when you pay attention.

You are going to be able to have a lot of fun when you are paying attention to your Mitsubishi Eclipse gauges and know when and where a problem is happening on your car. When you are focused on your car, then you are going to be able to have it around for a while. It is the smart choice to make when you are going to be in the market for gauges that you get ones that you can easily read. In times of distress, you never can really focus 100% of the time and you need something that is easy to read and will allow you to get the problem fixed quickly. That is the main focus that Mitsubishi strives for.

Networking - Out Of Strength Or Weakness

2010-09-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

Recently I stumbled upon the announcement of a new network / community, focused on investment advice. The network was open for all investment advisors. The first thing that came to my mind was: how peculiar the timing of this opening.

Previous months have been rather difficult for the investment advisor. What do you advise you client these days. A poll on the home page asks the questions: is it possible to give advice to clients these days? Answers are categorized as: Yes, don't do anything right now / Yes, now are the real chances / No, the stock-exchange doesn't show any clear direction...

Timing is not the best competence of financial or investment advisors. Although the saying goes that you should "buy, when there is blood on the street," emotion keeps people from acting.

Instead the advisors gather and seek emotional support by setting up a network. It must be a comfort to hear that others don't know what to do either...

Perhaps I'm too negative, but networking is often done out of weakness, and not out of strength.

This reminds me of Marx (No, not Karl) who sent the club a wire stating, "please accept my resignation. I don't want to belong to any club that will accept people like me as a member".

I have been member of a few networks myself and indeed I started with these at the time of starting up a business. Before that I was member of LinkedIn, but that was it. Al of a sudden, networks and communities come-up out of the blue.

You may think that a free membership cannot do any harm, but you have to ask too, what the added value really is? It's a numbers game as many other games.

In case of the investment community I wonder how sincere the contributions are. What do you think: is it now the time to invest or to wait. Experiences investors will know the answer...

Recently I found an article titled: Get out of the stock market now! It was from someone who had studied the stock market for 20 or more years and concluded that it was time to find other investment opportunities.

The insecure and immature investors will laugh at this advice. But as information becomes more freely available, so will increase the uncertainty amongst people. There are so many opinions and so many networks that it becomes more of an issue to find and hold an opinion of yourself.

Think about this when you subscribe to a new network. Do it out of strength and not out of weakness.

The Renault 5 GT Turbo - A Pocket Rocket Blast From the Past

2010-09-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

When the Renault 5 GT Turbo first arrived in the UK back in 1985 it caused quite a considerable stir amongst its potential hot hatch rivals. It wasn't just the looks of this pocket rocket that caused it to stand out, with the turbo changed engine and minimal kerb weight, it also had the power and pace to put its rivals firmly in the shade.

The Renault 5 GT turbo marked the start of a Renault hot hatch dynasty that progresses through the distinctive gold wheels of the Renault Clio Williams and on to the limited edition Renault Clio Trophy and the latest Renault Clio 197. Under the bonnet, the Renault 5 GT Turbo used the uninspiring 1.4 litre engine from its bigger Renault 11 brother. However the addition of a Garret T2 turbo and intercooler meant that inside the Renault 5 it produced a respectable 115 bhp.

Whilst 115 BHP seems quite laughable by modern standards, it is important to remember that the Renault 5 was not burdened by today's airbags, air conditioning, side impact bars and power steering and so the overall weight of the car was just 850kg. This was light enough to give the Renault 5 GT turbo a very modern 0-60 time of just 7.5 seconds, and quick enough to beat its contemporaries, in the shape of the Fiat Uno Turbo and Peugeot 205 1.6 GTi.

It wasn't just in the power stakes that the Renault 5 GT could trounce its rivals, with all new springs, dampers and anti roll bars the R5 could also run rings around them when it came to handling too. The GT also proved to be extremely popular amongst the aftermarket fraternity, who could easily modify the engine to produce up to 200bhp.

The distinctive looks of Renault 5 GT Turbo were penned by Marcello Gandini, who already had the Lamborghini Contach in his portfolio, and with its wide wheel arches, imposing front grill and fake vent ducts it is certain to make an impression wherever it goes. Whilst the yellow fog lights give the Renault 5 a certain French flair a modern driver would probably want to upgrade the weak headlights to more powerful xenon headlight bulbs.

Because so many Renault 5 GT Turbo's were modified with engine upgrades, suspension changes and body kits, finding a totally original model today can prove to be quite a challenge, but one well worth pursuing as this performance icon has now achieved cult status and still has the performance to keep up with modern traffic.

The Renault 5 GT Turbo is destined for classic status and whilst being more fragile than a MK1 Golf GTi, its lack of modern comforts and safety aids mean it will always remain a true drivers car.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Performance Parts

2010-09-01T08:13:00.000-07:00

The Mitsubishi Eclipse was launched in 1989 in the North American automotive market. It was one of the three cars, along with the Eagle Talon and the Plymouth Laser, produced by Mitsubishi Motors. The Eclipse was manufactured by Diamond Star Motors (DSM) in Illinois. It had a front wheel drive, and was a 3-Door hatchback with a 1.8 liter inline four cylinder engine. The main feature of the Eclipse was its sporty and aggressive look. The Eclipse has gone through numerous performance shifts and body changes for more than two decades and is now widely available in North America, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, China, and South Korea.

The 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse came in three variants, the RS, GS and GT. The RS and GS came has a standard new 2.4 liter inline four cylinder engine, rated at 154 bhp. The GT sported a 3.0 liter V6 engine, rated at 205 bhp. In 2001, the Eclipse underwent a facelift and emerged as the Spyder convertible, available in the GS and GT variants, with the same engines as the hardtop coupe. The 2001 RS and GS sported a 2.4 I4 154 bhp with 5500 rpm and 163 lb-ft with 4000 rpm performance. The GT variant sported a 3.0 V6 205 bhp with 5500 rpm and a 205 lb-ft with 4500 rpm performance.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Performance Parts: Modifications

With proper modifications, you can expect to generate anywhere between 300-600 hp out of a Mitsubishi Eclipse. Racers strive for maximum power out of the car and often use extreme engineering to achieve more than 800 hp. Turbo chargers are used frequently to up the ante of the vehicle by making strategic modifications in:

* Exhaust systems

* Intakes

* Clutch

* Fuel system

* Wheels

* Suspension

Mitsubishi Eclipse Performance Parts: Troubleshooting Exhaust Systems

The Eclipse is a four-seater sports coupe and because of its appeal, the manufacturers have always included an exhaust system that is easy to dismantle and troubleshoot. Here is what you can do for basic troubleshooting:

* Look for any fuel leaks or air in the pipe that connects to the turbocharger

* Check the color of the fumes from the tailpipe. If the color is white, there is coolant in the cylinder. If the color is blue, there is oil in the cylinder

* Examine the tailpipe for any rust or corrosion

* Check for heat damage to the spark plugs, cylinder head and ignition cables of the Eclipse

* Check for oil leakage on the heat shield around the engine

Why Should You Choose a Muscle Car?

2010-09-01T08:11:00.002-07:00

Sales of muscle cars have varied over the years, and it is sometimes seen that they are great polluters and a danger on the road - but this is not necessarily true, and there are several reasons why you may want a muscle car in preference to a regular car.

But what is a muscle car?

Muscle cars are cars with big powerful engines that sit inside a normal sized car body. Engines of that size normally drive a much heavier vehicle.

They were created in 1949 with the introduction of the Oldsmobile Rocket 88, which won 8 out of 10 races in the 1950 NASCAR season.

Sales of these cars exploded in the 1960s with vehicles like the Plymouth GTX and the Ford Mustang, but by the mid 1970s, the cost of fuel was increasing and a tax was levied on such vehicles due to their power. It was perceived that the power of the vehicle was increased at the sacrifice of handling and braking - which is just not true. Driving at high speed requires a certain skill, but when driving at a sensible speed in a muscle car there is no detraction in handling or braking - in many case the vehicles are upgraded versions of standard models, so the handling and braking are SUPERIOR to standard models. The tax affected sales of muscle cars, as the target market of young males found it hard to afford them.

These cars are, of course, still built these days - examples include the Ford Mustang, Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Evo. The expense factor is still there however, making it difficult to afford these vehicles. However, new or old, a well looked after muscle car will maintain its value for many years - and muscle cars come from the factory with a finely tuned engine, so their reliability is also very good.

Many are four wheel drive, ensuring they can drive well in conditions that standard 2 wheel drive cars would do best to avoid. With this improved grip and their powerful engines, how easy it is to tow a 2 wheel drive car that has become stuck in a snow drift!

And there is no concern (as there is around so-called 'sports cars') of not fitting in. Most have 4 or 5 seats compared to the 2 of a sports car, and they are seats of standard size. This of course does not make a muscle car better than a standard car - but at least in this instance they are of equal standing.

So what's not to like? Better handling than standard models, improved brakes, perfectly tuned engines, high retention of value, four wheel drive, big enough to get you (and the kids!) in comfortably, and best of all - knowing you are in an exclusive club due to the cost of buying one!

Maybe you will consider one for your next purchase...

James S Moss is an author, geek, armchair coach, backseat driver, entrepreneur, and an advocate (but not practitioner) of exercise. He can often be found shouting behind people moving slowly in the supermarket.

World's Top Police Cars

2010-09-01T08:11:00.001-07:00

I've seen beautiful fast cars but I was amazed when I saw news about police cars. I can't imagine how nice the police cars are now from different countries. Check this out.

o Lamborghini Police Cars in London

The boys in blue no longer use BMW 535d patrol cars but instead they will be driving a four-wheel-drive and an Italian 6.5-litre V12 which is good for 211 mph and 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds.

o Germany: Brabus CLS Rocket

This handsome car has 730hp from a twin turbo V12 and a top-speed of 225.19 mph. Currently, it is said to be the world's fastest legal sedan.

o Germany: Porsche 911 Carrera

The extensively modified Porsche 911 Carrera S by TechArt as a police car has 6 cylinder engine and 500 hp. It has over 186 mph and sprinting to 60 mph capability in just 4.6 seconds.

o Austria: Porsche 911

Austrian police gets to drive this £65,000 supercar that can do up to 177 mph.

o Italy: Lamborghini Gallardo

This beauty was donated by Lamborghini to the Italian Police last 2004. Its top speed is 190 mph and is powered by a 5 liter V10 with 500 hp. Italian Police actually purchased another one costing $166,000 after a year.

o USA: Dodge Viper

Vipers are not made for comfort and technology but it is a combination of classic sports car, hot rods and muscle cars as well making it brutal and rude cars.

o USA: Corvette C6

The sixth and most current generation of Chevrolet Corvette introduced last 2005. Has 6 liter LS2 V8 producing 400 hp.

o USA: Hummer H2

A 700 hp Hummer is powered by 7 liter supercharged V8 just for the Sheriff of Texas.
o UK: Lotus Exige

A high performance and very lightweight car accelerates from 0 to 60 faster than V8 cars. This only uses around 5 liters every 100 km.

o Holland: Spyker C8 Spyder

A 406 hp V8 with a maximum speed of 186 mph has Lamborghini doors. An aluminum hand built, mid-engined sports car. It has aerodynamic effect and an electrically operated single hinge titling doors.

o Lotus Esprit S4 of England

A 3.5 liter V8 car with engine in the middle and drive channeled to the rear wheels that provides the forward momentum. Esprit Lotus Police car is too good to overlook making it look like a publicity stunt to promote sales.

o Mitsubishi Evo VIII

This is the deadliest and sharpest driving tool used by Police in UK. It has a 2 liter turbo engine with 275 bhp and bizarre system called the Super Active Yaw Control from Japan technology keeping it stable, grippy and balanced through the corners.

o Holden VE Commodore

Released last 2007 and became the Wheels Car of the Year. It has 3.6 liter with V6 engine. It is also called the Chevrolet Lumina.

Don't you want to ride these cool cars then why not apply to be a police!

VW Golf R20T - First Details Revealed

2010-09-01T08:10:00.001-07:00

Although the high-power Volkswagen R32 hatch has had many strong following it failed to successfully compete with the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru WRX STI in the affordable AWD performance class. This picture may be about to experience drastic change though with VW's upcoming high-performance model internally called 'the R-Series Turbo' which will be known as the VW Golf R20 or VW Golf R20T, names that suggest the engine's displacement.

Majority of current talks point to VW's 2.0-liter turbo to replace the R32's present 3.2-liter V6 engine. Even with this apparent decrease in engine displacement, the engine is said to still generate 270bhp which is about 20 percent over the current vehicle and comes in a much lighter load than the previous engine. Estimated acceleration rate is placed at 0-60mph in about 5 seconds and it can attain a maximum speed of 155mph which is electronically limited. Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual or a DSG dual-clutch gearbox. It is not certain if the R20T will come only with front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive.

The R32 comes with an AWD system, but this causes extra curb weight as in all units in the Rabbit/Golf range. To get rid of the AWD may well reduce weight, but again it might lessen drivability and reduce the car's ability to compete with its closest rivals mention earlier. Styling upgrades consist of larger rims and tires, aero package with the flared arches, exhaust that is sportier, and most likely it will come with LED running lights.

Mk1 Escort - Ford's Famous Rally Car Still Alive and Well in 2009

2010-09-01T08:09:00.000-07:00

Scanning through the entry list of this year's 2009 Western Australian Targa West tarmac rally, I was pleased to see no fewer than 5 Mk1 Ford Escorts entered in the classic competition category. Having owned and competed in this legendary marque, I can't help but admire the tenacity and dedication of the owners and drivers who continue to prepare and race these magnificent vehicles.

Since their release in 1968, the Mk1 escort has consistently featured in Rally competition around the globe. For almost 7 years after it's release, the MK1 Escort dominated the international rally scene, finally passing on the mantle to it's equally dominant Mk2 successor.

Even today the Mk1 Escort is a popular choice for young drivers entering Motorsport. Many famous rally legends have made their start in an Escort. The late Colin McRae campaigned escorts for many years, no doubt influenced by his Father, 5 times British Champion Jimmy who can still be found campaigning Escorts in the Historic competitions around Europe.

Another extremely talented McRae in the shape of Alister will be competing in this year's Targa West in a Ralliart prepared Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 10 in the modern competition category. Alister dominated last year's Classic category in a Porsche 911, I'm predicting he'll be extremely hard to beat.

Having competed for the last 2 years in this event, I'll welcome the opportunity to take a step back and soak in the spectacle from a spectator's perspective. While enjoying the event from the confines of a TVR powered Triumph TR8, I always had one eye firmly fixed on the Mk1 Escort Mexico's and RS2000's in the stages & service parks.

I'll be watching Alister's performance at the pointy end of the field with interest, but my heart will be well and truly fixed back in the classic competition category, where the spine tingling throaty roar of twin weber adorned Mk1 Escorts in full cry will truly be a sight to behold.

Alan Blackmore is a business owner, motor sport enthusiast and diehard Ford Mk1 Escort fan.

Unusual Car Laws

2010-09-01T08:08:00.002-07:00

There are several nuances in the automotive industry that the average consumer will almost never come across. One of these is an incongruity between local and state laws concerning car specifications and the kinds of cars that are produced each year. While automotive manufacturers put out several models with standard spoilers, flaps, or particular types of lights, state and local laws may actually prohibit these additions. While consumers are rarely ticketed outright for these violations, a law enforcement officer may attach a second ticket onto a preexisting violation, such as speeding or driving recklessly.

One of the most common violations that can spring from manufacturers not adhering to individual state or local laws are spoiler types. While most consumers do not think twice about their vehicle if it has not been modified with after-market parts, the reality is that there are a handful of popular models that technically sport illegal spoilers. For example, citations have been handed out in Maryland for a spoiler on a Subaru model known as the WRX STi. Similar cases have been cited for Mitsubishi EVO models with factory-specified spoilers.

Other problems can arise when manufacturers allow particular sports packages or couple with partners that may usually work in the after-market sector of the automotive industry. In these situations, special additions may be legal in the state where they are sold, but not across the country. This has become especially true in cases involving modification packages that affect fuel economy or emissions. Emission standards and regulations are important for any car enthusiast to remember.

While not symptomatic of all sports car drivers, or even most of them, public perception holds that these drivers will use their faster cars recklessly on the highway. While this is often a false assumption, there are penalties for those who do abuse the power of their vehicles. To learn more about what the legal system can do to protect those injured in automobile accidents, contact a car accident lawyer.

Mitsubishi Lancer Concept To Make Detroit Debut

2010-09-01T08:08:00.001-07:00

Mitsubishi has long been in the shadow of Japan's larger automakers, but the company has managed to produce a few hit models over the years including the sporty Eclipse, the compact Lancer, the sexy Miata roadster, and the venerable rotary powered RX-8. At the moment, there is plenty of buzz over a concept vehicle that will debut at the January 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and it is a car based on the high performance version of the Lancer called the Lancer Evolution or Evo.

The Evo to be featured, according to the Kicking Tires website, is the company's "Prototype X" model replete with multiple hood scoops and a lower road stance. At present, only a few sketches of the concept have been shown to the public, but a preview press day will likely bring actual photos of the concept to the general public.

While the standard Lancer has been a decent seller in its own right, the Lancer Evolution has caught the attention of tuners everywhere. The Prototype X, when it finally comes off of the assembly line within the next year or two, will likely do its part to raise Mitsubishi's visibility one more notch. This is good news for a division that once could not get out of the shadow of the Chrysler Corporation, its original U.S. partner.

With the Evo, tuners are likely to find a car that will match or surpass their Accords and Rios in style as well as in substance. Just what Mitsubishi needs to help the brand get noticed!

Honda NSX - High Performance Mediocrity

2010-09-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

Observing the Honda NSX, I can't help but to see something that is not given much credit for what it had achieved before its termination in 2005. The mid engine NSX Type R has been proven on the tracks and winding roads of Japan while almost putting names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche to shame. Even though this machine will lap any circuit around the same time or even faster than the rest of these cars, it has been banished from the automotive world due to its low number of sales in the market. The big name European sports car manufacturers must have been shocked to tears when they heard that a Honda that was handcuffed to the 280hp Japanese regulation was running along side or in front of their 400-550hp monsters.

Despite its many wins on circuit over the more expensive high horsepower rivals, the car received little gratitude from the consumers. Maybe buyers really don't care about a pure sports car's actual capabilities, but something else that touches them. Why do people see such a car like the NSX to be mediocre? Why are they willing to spend three times the amount of money on something that can be technically considered inferior? Maybe people just don't want to show off a car to their buddies that has a six cylinder with under 300hp. I mean, would you rather roll up in something with a roaring twelve cylinder showing others how far you have come in life, or have to show people videos of the NSX R spanking the world's top super cars in order for them to believe it. Judging from the small amount of NSX sales and the answers to the question, "What's your dream car?" it seems that if the public does not respect a manufacturer for creating a super car, then they might as well not even waste their time and money doing so.

When companies like Honda, Toyota, or Nissan try to build something that will shock the world with overall driving performance going for over $60K, they have to realize how difficult or impossible it is for a non enthusiast to turn their head to even look. Cars like the Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi EVO that can be comfortably financed for about $35K are big sellers because of those under the age of 30 that generally are not in the super car market. The difficulty to attract the mature, established, deep pocketed consumer goes for companies where around 80% of the vehicle lineup are in the under $30K category. Your masterpiece will surely not be praised by the people unless they can look at the font emblem and see something that touches them with its meaning and rarity. A Honda emblem is not going to reach the hearts of most people that can afford a super car, but a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Porsche badge will be sure to do the trick.

So why does a company like Ferrari attract the heart of the buyer that can attain three NSX s for the price of his new F430 while still having some pocket change? I feel that since the majority of Ferrari's efforts go into racing, they are seen as an edgy and more focused car manufacturer. Honda and Toyota on the other hand seem to have their efforts working towards high quality everyday cars that you will be sure to see on your next outing to the mall or grocery store. For nearly a century now, most of Ferraris profits from their production cars go into their competition machines that continue to excite and stimulate the racing fans. Showing thanks to the consumer for their contribution to the continuation of their dominance in racing, Ferrari awards them with a glimpse into their personal legacy by adding technologies such as F1 paddle shifting, countless carbon components, and a bone chillingly responsive V12 power plant into the purchased production car. Honda on the other hand uses racing as a PR tool to sell more production cars. This means that if racing has no advertising effects in order to sell more cars, they will simply just stop racing. This opposite approach is more of a business tactic to deepen the pockets of the manufacturer instead of a fund for a true passion.

Now that the NSX is gone I believe that Honda is going to attempt to release something that will also give the buyer a feeling of what a race car is like. Even though the NSX R was without a doubt fast and racy, it lacked some modern competition car amenities like clutch less paddle shift, oversized wheels, electronically controlled engine and suspension settings, and idiot proof traction controls. The release of the Nissan R35 GTR into the United States next year should be the ultimate test to see if Americans can truly accept a Japanese super car. If no one bites on this highly engineered machine, with its near 500hp, electronically controlled differential and suspension settings, paddle shift, and unmatched performance, I can see Honda throwing in the towel for the super cars.

Even if the NSX is gone with its shoes empty, Honda still has sporty models like the S2000 and the high performance Civics to continue evolving. These cars should continue to provide sufficient excitement for the shallower pocketed car fanatics that seem to be a rising breed throughout the world. Such loving and hardcore enthusiasts will use their cars for all they're worth, giving the manufacturer the gratitude and compensation it deserves. With the tuning world also exploding, some of these fanatics may save up and tweak the affordable rockets to be as fast as the expensive super cars anyway while adding their own personal touch in the process. Companies like Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and Mitsubishi should realize the amazing things that they have accomplished with their vehicles that attain very high performance/price ratios and try to keep the scene alive every year with new models keeping true car lovers coming back for more.

Aspiring Automotive Journalist: Nick Zema (22)
Senior at SUNY Farmingdale
Soon receiving a B.A. for Automotive Engineering/Automotive Management

Right now I am living in New Jersey and going to school in Long Island to attain my degree in order to get my foot in the door to the automotive industry, where I aspire to land something in publication. I have worked at a Bicycle Shop here in NJ as a service manager for 6 years. I have recently been attending track events, auto crosses, and Time Attack Competitions on the weekends driving my Nissan 240 SX sponsored by Motions Auto Works.

How To Make Many Friends Easily

2010-09-01T08:06:00.002-07:00

With every goal you have in life, people will always be in the way. How fast you reach your goals depends on how well you deal with people and the level of influence you have on them. In order to really influence people you must become a person who is likable. How do you become likable? You must have a sincere interest in other people. Every person on this earth wants to feel important, so you need to treat everyone with the up most importance, because they deserve it. Remember no one is better than you and you are not better than anyone, we are all human beings who deserve the same amount of respect.

Becoming Likable:

Setting the Stage

Your goal in meeting people should be to consciously be the first to initiate and set the stage for conversation. Most people are hesitant to be the first, don't be like most people step out of your comfort zone. I know that if you are a shy person that this can be one of the hardest things for you to do, but the more you do it, the more you condition your self for it to become second nature. As a small kid I used to be really shy but I noticed that the kids that where outgoing tended to be the happier kids so I began to step out of my comfort zone and now I feel I can walk up to almost anyone. This is going to take time; things don't happen over night but don't let this discourage you. Many people feel that for you to become proficient in something takes around five years. Don't waste anytime, start today and each day after that will get easier. Each different experience will later serve as a reference to remind you, that you can approach almost anyone. By being the first to initiate conversation you also automatically have a certain degree of control, you are able to draw people into your own rhythms. Have you ever noticed how persuasive people are able to seduce you to their ways, dictating your body language and basically synchronizing it to theirs? This is because people naturally imitate other people as a way of communicating with the other person. So if you are the first you get to decide what angle to approach. So if the person you are approaching appears sad, approach them with a big confident smile. Odds are they will slowly begin to smile; you will automatically change their mood. Now you will have a better chance of having a better conversation.

In setting the stage you will need to train your self to pick up any subtle signals that the person you are approaching is giving off. With time you will be able to sum up a person in a blink of an eye and from what your subconscious catches use it help you set the stage. This will require you to have an open mind and immerse your self in as many different worlds/cultures as possible. That's why I never limit my self to one particular set of friends. I have friends from all sorts of backgrounds. I have friends who are skaters, basketball players, artists, musicians, writers, etc. By having so many friends with diverse interests I quickly learn about their worlds. By knowing what kind of stage to set up you will know how to get the other person to think very highly of you. For example by being observant you will catch the subtleties in the way a person appears to be (The way he is dressed, body language, tone of voice, language, etc.) which will help you to imagine placing your self in there shoes. By really imagining what being that person is like it will give you a good idea of how he/she is feeling. This in turn helps you get a better idea of what appproach to use when trying to communicate effectively with them. When I am able to pick up persons subtleties I will know what topics, questions, and general things that appeal to them which gives me information to work with in the process of winning that person as a friend. Like if know this person is really passionate about cars, I will ask a question with the minimum knowledge I have about something that he knows or thinks he knows a lot about.

Now you set the stage for Mike who will love to tell me exactly why the Mitsubishi EVO is better. When someone is knowledgeable about something it's in their nature to tell you because it is one more opportunity for them to show how great or smart they are. You have to cater to their ego and never test or contradict their ideas, because their ego is so big that they will not accept someone who is supposed to know less tell them they are possibly wrong. If I would have told him that I heard that the Subaru WRX is better, we would have just gotten in an argument that he would not have backed out of. But I didn't and now they will love me for it, because I was taking interest into what he enjoys.

Body Language

Whenever you approach someone for the very first time your body language will do most of the talking and the other person will immediately have a first impression of you. So you must always be aware that whatever you say your body is also in agreement. If you say one thing and your body says the opposite you will come out as someone fake. We have all seen the girl that walks up to another girl and says "I'm so happy to see you...how you been?....you look so good..." but their body language is saying "what are you doing here....I'm not really listening to what your saying" this is easily seen and can be one of the rudest things you can do in trying to make new friends. Always approach someone with open gestures and a smile. If you approach someone with crossed arms, this will automatically make the other person defensive and question your motives. Approach them with open arms and a gentle smile, smiling is infectious if the other person has a stern look on their face the moment you approach them with a smile you will gradually notice that they will smile too. This usually sets it up for a good conversation because both people are in good moods. Try this - if you're in a neutral mood right now, put a big smile on your face for no reason if you pay attention you can feel your body changing and your mood immediately start to change. People who are in good moods will place a lot more importance to what you have to say.

Questions and Listening

Your next goal is to sincerely try to find out as much as you can about the person. Ask quality questions; find out what is important to the person, goals, beliefs, interests, etc. The key is to be sincere so the person feels comfortable and is more likely to open up. Try to have a calm demeanor refrain from being overly eager as this might scare the person. You must be able to match the mood of the person. If the person is excited to tell you a story you must become excited as well. If the person is telling you a sad story you must show sincere empathy. Be open minded and really listen to the person.

Listening: Try to listen at least twice as much as you talk. Listening requires more than just pretending to listen or simply hearing a person talk. Listening and hearing are two completely different things and the person can tell if you're really listening to them, or simply hearing them speak. Being a good listener is a skill, you must become an active listener. Remember this is all about the other person, who cares if you don't get to talk about your self. In the end the other person will love you for it. They will tell their friends

"Man I really enjoyed talking to that person"....why is that? Was he a very interesting person? "You know what...I really don't know why...I really don't know much about him"

This shouldn't bother you because in the end you greatly benefited from the situation as well. If you're an effective listener you will gain a better understanding of that person's thoughts, perspectives, feelings and actions. You have to remember that most people would rather talk than listen, but most of the time this person is not very influential. Take this as an opportunity to become more persuasive and influential.

Sometimes the problem with most people is that listening to them doesn't have much value. They feel that in order to get people to like them they must do a great deal of the talking. Think about that for a minute, how do you like it when another person is talking so much that when you try and say something they still keep talking. You eventually quit listening to that person because you got to annoyed. Now sometimes you don't need to do most of the listening, you constantly need to evaluate the situation. Sometimes people really want to hear what you have to say. In this situation still try and get the other person involved and flip around the question that they just asked you.

People who talk too much

1. People always talk about them behind their backs

2. In group settings they feel they always need to say something just to feel like they are contributing.

3. Usually have very big egos

4. They ask questions that they already have the answers too

5. Because they are so focused on having something to say aren't even listening to what someone is saying.

People Who Listen Effectively

1.Get the whole picture, than they can act accordingly.

2.Everyone loves a good listener so you will make tons of friends.

3.No one talks bad about you, who ever said "man that kid just loves to listen too much"

Good listening is going to really take effort. The reason is that people can think a lot faster than people can speak. What ends up happening is that you begin to think of other things as that person is speaking. Than you become consumed with those thoughts. Next thing you know the other person asks you "So than do you think I did the right thing". You weren't listening so you have no idea what to say. This is one of biggest turn offs in trying to become friends with that person.

Things to avoid when Listening

Don't Interrupt

Because you have the upper hand by thinking faster than someone who is speaking, you will become tempted to interrupt. Don't because the other person will get the feeling that you don't care what they are saying and want to bring back the topic of conversation to you. The other person might also have great momentum going in telling you a story, but when you interrupt them their story doesn't carry as much feeling when they go back to speaking. You also show that you are one of those people who enjoy speaking more than being a good listener. When you interrupt you are also making assumptions of what you think the other person is about to say. This might cause you to miss out completely different information. Because you interrupted them the other person might not even want to continue telling you about it.

Turbocharger Lag

2010-09-01T08:06:00.001-07:00

This text hopes to describe what exactly turbocharger lag is, why it is getting such a bad reputation, and why that bad reputation is usually unfounded.

Turbocharger lag is, for practical purposes, the time it takes the turbocharger to spin up and make usable boost pressure after you plant your right foot. The turbocharger is driven by hot exhaust gases passing through the turbine side of the turbocharger assembly. Before the turbo can make positive boost pressure, that is pressure above atmospheric pressure, there must be enough exhaust energy to spin the turbine. The only way there can be a substantial amount of hot, high velocity exhaust gases passing through the turbine, is if the engine is under a significant load. Once that occurs boost pressure is created, more fuel can be injected, and hence more hot exhaust gases produced to spin the turbo even faster. What a wonderful cycle!

So why am I saying that this nonsense about turbocharger lag is unfounded? Well, in the old days of turbochargers, such as some of the first Porsche 911 turbos, large turbochargers (by today's standards) were used. These turbos contained heavier metals and hence took more energy to spin up. So, when test drivers got on the gas there was a significant delay before (BAM!) loads of power was produced. This was deemed undesirable and given the name turbo lag. These engines also had poor low end torque, because the turbo would not spool up to create usable boost until higher RPMs were reached. When magazine articles were written about cars using turbochargers, lag was 'driven home' to the engine designers as a very bad thing. So, back to the drawing board they went, and they came up with the idea of using much smaller turbochargers and eventually using much lighter materials to help eliminate lag. In my opinion they succeeded greatly. For whatever reason magazine editors, when they see that an engine is turbocharged, have to bring up lag as a negative issue, even if, in reality, it isn't at all.

Here comes my rant. A while back I read an article about the 2002 Audi S4. This car comes with a wonderful 5 valve per cylinder twin turbocharged, intercooled, 2.7 liter V6 engine. It produces 250HP at 5800RPM, and 256lb-ft at 1850RPM. Now that's what I call low end torque! That's just off idle! Audi accomplished this by using two small sized quick spooling turbochargers. The down side in doing this is that top end power can suffer because of the smaller turbo placing a restriction on the exhaust. In any case, the magazine article complained about turbo lag with this engine! What turbo lag! It produces peak torque at 1850RPM! So, for the next year (2003), Audi ditched the wonderful twin turbo V6 and used a 4.2 liter V8 engine. This engine produces 340HP at 7200RPM, and 302lb-ft at 3500RPM. The same magazine praised this engine for its low end torque. While this engine is clearly more powerful, it cannot match the turbo engine for low end torque. They're just giving turbo engines a bad name! Shame on them!

Unfortunately most car manufacturers that are using turbo engines are using very small turbochargers to get away from the 'dreaded lag'. As mentioned earlier, this leads to excellent low end torque, but limits top end horsepower. Thankfully some are not giving in. Mitsubishi's Evo VIII MR uses a 2.0 liter engine with 280HP at 6500RPM and 295lb-ft at 3500RPM. This is almost the same amount of torque as Audi's 4.2 liter V8 and at the same RPM! Hurray for turbos! This engine is, however, highly criticized for its turbo lag. While it does have some lag, it is very marginal. In driving the car, boost pressure basically follows what your right foot does. I would say that this engine has minimal lag, but noticeable at very low RPMs. And there you have it - driving around in top gear at 30MPH wondering where the engine power is. For goodness sakes downshift! It is true that a turbo car must be driven differently than a normally aspirated car, but for the same size engine, you'll never get the power out that you can with a forced induction engine - particularly turbo engines. So does all this talk of turbo lag make any sense? You could have a 2.0 liter engine with 150HP and 130lb-ft or you could have a turbo 2.0 liter with 280HP, and 295lb-ft, but then you must put up with turbo lag, and gosh, who wants that?

And then there is Honda. Wow - what to say here! They take a 2.0 liter engine, spin it to high heaven and get excellent power out of it. Magazines, then criticize it because you have to rev it so high, but thank goodness it doesn't have turbo lag! So here are your choices:

*Low power, low torque normally aspirated 2.0 liter engine.

*High power, high revving, low torque 2.0 liter engine.

*High power, high torque (at a relatively low RPM), 2.0 liter turbo engine.

I know where my vote is going!

In my opinion peak torque should be achieved at roughly half the maximum engine RPM. So, for example, if redline is 6000RPM, peak torque should be around 3000RPM. I feel this leads to a well performing fun to drive car. Audi took it a little too far, in my opinion, with a peak torque at 1850RPM - and they still got hammered for turbo lag. You'll never see a normally aspirated gasoline engine (within reason) with peak torque so low.

I was worried there for a little while with respect to turbo engines, but am very happy to see cars today such as the EVO VIII, STi, WRX, Volvo cars, Saab cars, and SRT-4 using turbocharged power plants. Lag is over rated!

Different VIS Carbon Fiber Hoods For Hyundai Tiburon

2010-09-01T08:05:00.001-07:00

One of the leaders in today's market of Carbon Fiber Hoods is VIS. Here we are going to talk about advantages of VIS Hoods and their different models for a Hyundai Tiburon.

VIS Hoods are made from the finest carbon fiber available. Each hood is protected with a UV coating that will ensure that the hood will keep its high gloss finish. All VIS hoods are Grade A and feature a tight carbon weave, rolled edges, and one piece under-siding.

VIS Hoods have different advantages. They are light, strong, stylish and heat absorbers.

VIS Hoods are extremely light, weighing less than 50lbs. Less weight makes your car faster and saves you on gas.

The Carbon Fiber Hoods are strong, by far stronger than both steel and fiberglass hoods. So, next time somebody sits on your hood don't worry, there will be no dents.

The next great feature of VIS Hoods is heat absorption. When your engine works to its full power, and if you have added cold air intakes and turbo manifolds, you get a lot of excessive heat under your hood. VIS Hoods help the hot air find its freedom outside of engine department. They absorb the excess heat and dissipate.

Now let's talk what styles of Hoods VIS offers to us. There are 6 of them:

* Cyber

* EVO

* Invader

* OEM

* Terminator

* Xtreme GT

All of the VIS Carbon Fiber Hoods fit 2003-2007 models and only Invader Hood fits 2000-2002 models.

Cyber Hood adds style of cyber space to your vehicle. It looks progressive and futuristic.

EVO Hood is short for Evolution, and adds legendary style of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution to your car.

Invader Hood with cowl induction allows additional escape of hot air and brings your car aggressiveness and solidness.

OEM Hood is a Carbon Fiber version of your original hood. It has all the benefits of VIS Carbon Fiber Hoods mentioned above.

Terminator Hood with dual slatted vents adds your vehicle aggressiveness as well and a charm of nature beast.

Xtreme GT Hood is for turbocharged vehicles. It can absorb much more heat caused by turbo kits in your vehicle.

Check one of the VIS Carbon Fiber Hoods for your Hyundai Tiburon that fits your needs and budget, the style that you like the best and your car will appreciate it.

Lancer EX

2010-09-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

Sports Car Feel in a Small Hatchback - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

2010-09-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

A great week is to have a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer for a test drive. It was absolutely terrific, but this was no ordinary Lancer. This was a Sportback Ralliart model, complete with enough racing features to provide an exhilarating drive. There were a few downsides, however.

Mitsubishi has their Lancer EVO, which is fairly popular and performs well. This new Sportback model of the Lancer provides more versatility by combining a sporty car with the convenience of a five door wagon-like vehicle. There is even a rear cargo floor that can be dropped about three inches to provide additional cargo space if needed.

The Sportback is provided in two trim models - the GTS and the Ralliart. My test model was the Ralliart, which offers a lot more power, and All-Wheel-Drive. The GTS has Mitsubishi's 2.4 liter engine that is quite efficient and provides 168 horsepower. The Ralliart has a 2.0 liter, inline four cylinder, turbocharged engine that spits out 237 horsepower. There is only one transmission in the Ralliart and that is a six speed automatic Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift. That is the same automatic transmission in the Lancer Evolution.

The automatic feature is operated normally, but can be handled manually by the magnesium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. I tried the paddle shifters quite often during my test drive and they work extremely well. I am just not inclined to use paddle shifters very often in any car and generally leave that driving mode to those who like to dream about being racecar drivers.

The exterior of the Lancer Ralliart is striking. It offers a swept back appearance that sometimes appears as a standard Mitsubishi look and other times as something new. My test model was called Wicked White. The interior was black. The interior is generally comfortable, except for the seating. There are a few silver accents and the fit and finish is well done. Most of the interior, however, is plastic, and mostly plain black. There are a lot of features that help make the driving experience pleasant.

Optional Recaro seats were added to my test drive model. These have extra side bolstering that help hold you in the seat on sharp corners or fast turns. I like the Recaro seats. The spec sheet said that the driver's seat was adjustable, but that only meant it moved back and forward. There was absolutely no way to raise the height of the seat. Although I may aspire to be a six-foot person, I have not arrived at that lofty height yet, so I must rely on the seat to raise me to where I can see over the dashboard. It was definitely a challenge. The steering wheel does not telescope, so I had to pull the seat as far forward as possible just to reach the pedals and steering. Once that was all done and the seat back positioned, it was a fairly decent ride. I wish there had been a center armrest to help out on a lengthy highway stretch.

If you are looking for a vehicle that will provide a very sporty ride with all the convenience of a hatchback, then the Lancer Sportback Ralliart might be just right for you. I really liked the advanced All-Wheel-Drive, especially during the inclement weather.

Starting price of the GTS is just $19,190,but the Ralliart version begins at $27,590. My test model had a bottom sticker price of $31,060, but it had a lot of added convenience features including a terrific Rockford Fosgate sound system. EPA mileage figures are 17-mpg city and 25-mpg highway.

If a sports car feel with the convenience of a small hatchback appeals to you, check out the 2010 Lancer Ralliart, complete with all the driving excitement and turbocharged sporty fun at a Mitsubishi dealership yourself.

Upcoming Cars in India - 2010

2010-09-01T07:57:00.001-07:00

The Indian automobile market has become a host of numerous cars from renowned manufacturers all over the world. Competing for supremacy in different cars segments, these companies have provided a large variety of cars loaded with modern features & latest technology. A cluster of new &innovative advancements in terms of performance, power, fuel efficiency, comforts etc have facilitated the customer by giving true value for their money. With such an elongated list of variants available, the buyer is free to choose his dream machine which meets all his desires of a good car.

In recent times, sale of cars in India has touched new heights. Keeping this fact in considerations, many companies have rolled out their models best models in India. From hatchback to sedan cars, no category has been left out. Even the most priced category of luxury cars is witnessing a war of engineering comforts and princely luxuries. Every new launch adds on to the list of features and comforts provided by the car. After the launch of Tata Nano, the entry level car segment has also drawn the attention. Renowned manufacturers like Renault, Maruti etc are now planning to launch their counter parts for worlds cheapest cars.

In upcomg days, India car market will see a flood of new cars in all the segments. Coming from the garage of Mitsubishi, the advanced version of Lancer - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X is set to be launched at the end of 2010. Evo X is expected to restore Mitsubishi's share in Indian car market. Besides a powerful engine and royalty of lancer, Evo X offers world class luxury. Volkswagen is also in competition and has announced to launch its luxury sedan model, Volkswagen Vento in September. Vento is directed to land in direct competition with segment leader Honda City. Hyundai also has plans to launch the third variant of its popular i series in India. Hyundai i30 is expected by the end of this year. Another awaited launch from Hyundai motors is their giant SUV Hyundai Santa Fe.

Great Cars Under 1000 Dollars - All-Star Profiles - Mitsubishi Eclipse

2010-09-01T07:55:00.001-07:00

If your searching for a cheap performance car under $1000 dollars its hard to over look the DSM mitsubishi eclipse. For those not in the know DSM stands for Diamond Star Motors. Although this profile is for the Eclipse (1990-1994) the Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser were part of the Diamond Star trio and are basically the exact same car with a few different aesthetic touches. These cars are starting to consistently fall into the sub-$1000 dollar price range and have for many years been offering enthusiasts a lot of bang for their buck. These DSM's are available in several models, but for this profile we will only be focusing on the Turbo cars. (because turbos are fun!)

All-Star Profile Mitsubishi Eclipse (1990-1994):

In 1990 the DSM trio stormed our shores with a car that offered a ton of performance for the money. The Mitsubishi Eclipse was a sports coupe with aggressive styling (love it or hate it) that offered not only the option of a turbocharged four cylinder engine known as the 4G63 but also the ability to combine this with pavement gripping all-wheel drive. The GS-T being the front-wheel drive only turbo version and the GSX offered the all-wheel drive. In the early 90's before America was used to getting the latest in all-wheel drive rally inspired vehicles like the EVO and WRX the Eclipse really stood on its own in what it could offer.

The 4G63 engine which is still used today in a much more updated Mitsubishi EVO offered 180-195hp and quickly became a tuner favorite. The 4G63 is just one of those engines with an uncanny ability to absorb quite a bit of abuse and fork over a lot of extra horsepower with relatively little upgrades. Simply turning up the boost on these engines (with supporting fuel and ignition upgrades of course) is such an easy way to make giant killing power. For those who want it all the after market offers basically every upgrade under the sun for these cars and usually your budget is the only limiting factor.

Now when it comes to finding your DSM especially one for under $1000 dollars, the choice must be made carefully with several factors in mind. First off these cars are still desirable, but their age is making them become much cheaper. Unfortunately its no real secret that these cars are fun and offer lots of power, which in turn means that you're going to have some tough luck finding a clean one that hasn't been beaten on. In fact like most popular tuner cars the modifications done by the previous owner can be a plus or a huge minus.

The 4G63 engine is capable of taking quite a bit of boost and abuse but in general when you combine big turbo power and all-wheel drive in a 15+ year old car it shouldn't shock you too much if a few things break. Not to say these cars can't be reliable in fact there are still lots modified and stock examples still running trouble free everywhere, but do not expect one of these to run like a new Camry. Do your research and take the time to find a good example, although most that are under $1000 dollars may still be pretty rough these cars can be great starting points for a tuner project and can still offer a lot of performance and stack up quite well even against the newer cars on the road.

The Benefits of All Wheel Drive (AWD)

2010-09-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

You've heard the saying "Power is nothing without control." This is true for cars, SUV's, CUV's and trucks. We'll stick with cars for now. More specifically compact cars. I will refer to cars such as the Subaru WRX/STI and the Mitsubishi EVO/Ralliart.

Both the WRX/STI and the EVO/Ralliart employ AWD as their method of transferring power to the road from the engine. Why? Both manufactures use high horsepower (HP) turbo charged engines that are developed for Rally style racing. In Rally racing, grip is very important. Rally cars typically have 300hp and are AWD. Races are run on dirt roads, tarmac and roads covered in snow and/or ice at speeds of up to 120mph! Tell me you would want anything other than AWD in those conditions?

AWD lets you attain levels of grip most Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) cars cannot match. AWD lets the power shift to the front wheels, rear wheels, left wheels or right wheels or all of the wheels when needed. FWD only drives the front wheels and most FWD cars do not have a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) to control the power. The same goes for RWD. LSD's are usually reserved for sports cars or luxury cars. The typical Honda Civic or Toyota Camry does not have a LSD. Cars such as the Honda S2000 or BMW M3 will have them, but they are specialized cars that are marketed to enthusiasts.

Cars such as the Subaru WRX/STI, Legacy GT/Outback and the Mitsubishi EVO/Ralliart come standard with AWD that employ 3 differentials! One each in the front, middle and rear for superior control in normal highway driving or driving on a race track to driving in the snow or off road. These cars are known for their performance and economical price points, even when equipped with the AWD system.

Most of the time you will not need AWD unless, you live in a rural area or an area that experiences a lot of rain or snow. Once you experience the feel and control of AWD at a time you need it you will never want to drive any other type of car again. If you are thinking about replacing your FWD or RWD car take a look at the Subaru line up. They have compact cars, family sedans and CUV's all with standard Symmetrical AWD. Mitsubishi has the Lancer EVO and the Ralliart for compact sedans and the Outlander for small 7 passenger SUV needs.

Mitsubishi EVO 10 Strengths and Weaknesses

2010-09-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the Mitsubishi Evo 10 will allow you to make the right decision when buying a new Mitsubishi.

One of the first things, depending on where you are in the world that may come as a surprise to you but perhaps if you're in the UK it may not be as big a surprise as others is the modification packages available through Mitsubishi UK, mainly the Evo 10 FQ models, as in FQ320. That is, did you know that all of the Evo 10 models in the UK, as sold as a factory-official car through Mitsubishi UK, actually has a modified converted, factory ECU using EcuTeK tuning software?

That package of upgrades is on all the Evo 10s sold by Mitsubishi UK. On top of that, Mitsubishi UK then offer the Evo 10 FQ model, and the FQ model standing for a very quick car, has been available for quite some time now starting with the Evo 7 and then there's the Evo 8 and, of course, the Evo 9 and now the Evo 10.

The FQ320 Evo 10 comes with a package of generally HKS modified components including exhaust, hard pipe inlet kit, and some other body kit styling enhancements and things like that and the tuned ECU to bring it all together to make it into a nice reliable package that comes with a full factory warranty guarantee through the Mitsubishi dealer network and of course, Mitsubishi UK.

Another good bit of information is some of this tuning and mapping data is available through the EcuTeK ECU tuning network throughout the through EcuTeK partners. The tuning software that is used by Mitsubishi UK is obviously the tuning software that is used by EcuTeK around the world.

Through your local EcuTeK tuner, you can get the factory ECU in your Mitsubishi Evo 10 converted into a fully adjustable ECU and then increase the performance however what will obviously vary is the level of warranty that you'll get support from your local dealer.

Be very careful when you start modifying, if you choose to modify your Mitsubishi Evo 10. Because it's a brand-new car, it uses the new Flash Can technology ECU. Gone are the days where you can do some simple modification and upgrades with hard parts and expect a noticeable improvement in performance because, really, you can't achieve that anymore particularly with these newer models.

The Evo 10 ECU is smart enough to realize that there's been a modification done and what it will then start doing is detuning the performance that you were looking for as a result of say, for example, a modified exhaust and ultimately you can end up with less power than what you start with, obviously, with factory-standard parts. The advantage of converting the factory ECU to an adjustable one allows that all to be brought together as a complete package, tuned and designed to work in harmony with each other.

The Evo 10 has a dramatically different engine now from the previous models. It has an all-alloy block. It runs a higher-peak boost level, in fact, a staggeringly higher-peak boost level which, again, makes it even more important to choose your modifications carefully. Obviously, the orientation of the inlet and the exhaust manifolds on the Evo 10 is different to the Evo 9, having the inlet manifold at the front now with the exhaust manifold at the rear. Effectively, between the firewall and the engine is now where the turbo sits, which is the completely different orientation to the previous Evo 9 model. That's going to require a whole complete new jigging up of, obviously, exhaust systems and components to suit that model.

There's not a lot of carry over with the Evo 9 but, then again, we expected there's a pretty good reason why Mitsubishi had done that. From impressions, it's obviously to get the car a bit better balanced in its weight distribution because the exhaust manifold weighs more than the inlet manifold. By moving it backwards, it transfers a little bit more of that weight towards the rear of the car and in theory then obviously makes it handle better.

I'm not going to comment on the body styling or geometry setups or seating position because a lot of that these days is more so a personal choice but hopefully this information will help you if you are looking to buy a new Mitsubishi Evo.

Choosing the Right Evo Exhaust For You

2010-09-01T07:31:00.001-07:00

Choosing a Mitsubishi Evo exhaust system can be a hard task. The decision to purchase is a big one due to the amount of hard earned cash you Will have to part with. To help make the decision easier for you let's look at some of the important things to consider when buying a new evo exhaust. There is no right answer as to which is best, but you should ask your self a few things to decide which is right for you.

1. Cat back or Turbo Back. The most common question from new Evolution owners ask is "should I buy a turbo back or cat back exhaust system". This is usually a hang up for people new to modifying cars, especially turbo cars. While a turbo back will give you more power, it will also cost more. A turbo back exhaust includes more piping, and sometimes a catalytic converter or test pipe, and down pipe. On average a turbo back will set you back $250 more than a cat back system.

2. Price. The overall price of an exhaust system varies wildly depending on materials used and manufacturers. Be prepared to pay minimum $650 for a cat back and $850 for a turbo back.

3. Materials. High performance exhaust systems are typically made of 1 of two materials or a combination of both. The most popular metals are stainless steel and titanium. An exhaust made from either material is corrosion resistant and will last a very long time. The largest differences are weight and price. Titanium exhausts are typically much lighter, but also cost more. A stainless exhaust will usually save weight over a factory system, and titanium will be even lighter.

4. Sound and style. Every exhaust has a different sound and style, and this will all come down to personal preference. Check out youtube or popular forums for many videos, sound clips, and pictures of different evo exhausts to help you make up your mind.

5. Power. This is the ultimate goal right, why we buy the exhaust in the first place. In my experience any exhaust from a well known manufacturer is going to make power. How much power will determine on many factors, and is more than we can discus here. In general you can believe the manufacturers claims of power gains.

6. Stay Legal. Depending on where you live and how you drive you evo there may be different laws you will need to know regarding a new exhaust system. Most states require that vehicles have catalytic converters installed, Although, not all states check, but if you get caught with out one the fines are outrageous. For off road only or race cars no catalytic converter is fine, this is commonly called a straight pipe, or test pipe. For a street legal car, a high flow cat is recommended. This will add to the cost of your exhaust system, but there will be no power loss like there would be from using a stock catalytic converter. Some states also have noise ordinances, so the sound level coming from your tail pipe needs to be below the legal limit to keep you compliant.

Now that you are prepared to shop for a new exhaust system remember the most important thing. Don't rush into buying an evo exhaust. There are many dealers on line and off to purchase from. Shop around and try to find the best deal.

The 2010 DE and ES Mitsubishi Lancer Models Have MIVEC 2.0 Liter Engines

2010-09-01T07:30:00.001-07:00

Mitsubishi is addressing the fuel crunch with multiple engine options for the 2010 Lancer model. With a 22 to 31 miles per gallon average, a one gallon increase from 2009, the MIVEC (Mitsubishi Valve Timing Electronic Control) engine options for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer easily marry performance with the green initiative.

Both the DE and ES Mitsubishi Lancer models include all-aluminum MIVEC 2.0 liter engines with the choice of 152 or 142 horsepower, the latter only if the Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle version engine is selected. The Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle standard in some states motivated Mitsubishi to craft engines that not only offer Mitsubishi performance, but conform to the standard which is the highest rating available for non-hybrid vehicles. MIVEC engines with the Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle standard provide an easy choice for helping the environment without losing out on engine power or craftsmanship.

The Lancer GTS and RALLIART models offer engines that answer any demand for considerable power upgrades in comparison with the DE and ES models. The 2010 GTS model option includes a 168 horsepower 2.4 liter MIVEC engine, while the Mitsubishi Lancer RALLIART boasts a potently powerful intercooled 237 horsepower MIVEC engine respectively. While impressive, these engine choices are no different than those previously available for the 2009 GTS or RALLIART models.

The 2010 MIVEC engines for the Mitsubishi Lancer no matter the option provide power, durability, value, and fuel efficiency. However, the DE, ES, GTS, and RALLIART models are all essentially the same engine options from 2009.

Evo Exhaust - Best Exhaust For Evo X

2010-09-01T07:29:00.001-07:00

Pants kicking power, that won't kick you in the rear.

So you've been sporting your new Evo X around and decided it needs a new kick in the pants. Where to start? Well, for tuners the most rewarding place is the exhaust system. Why? Simply put - it nets the buyer a decent increase in horsepower and almost always draws more attention to your already sweet ride. The new Mitsubishi Evo X is definitely a breed of its own. Enough has already been said about specs of the car so let's move right into expelling some facts about the Evo exhaust upgrade.

First place to start is at the top of the exhaust system. If you've got some serious green to lay down on this project you might want to consider starting with the turbo. Although the factory turbo puts out a nice 18lbs. of boost off the assembly line, in this case, bigger would be better. ATP is currently up for grabs at a price that won't boost your expenses. The kit includes a variety of 5 different Garret setups to allow the driver/owner to put the right power to their particular application. However, in the case of the boosting your boost, you're going to need a better place for all that expelled gas to go.

There many brands out there but research is key, and having been around for so many years nets you the experience to give proven results. This is exactly what GReddy does best. R&D is the name of the game here, and GReddy is a champion. TIG-welded, full stainless steel with a burnt titanium tip gives this system the design and look you're after for your Evo exhaust. The Ti-C system gives the ride 9.1+HP and 5.9+TQ increase according to Import tuner. Not a bad setup...except for the price. When it comes to exhaust systems there's no getting around spending dough and at $665 bucks for the cat Ti-C system, you're shelling a "bit" of cash (in contrast to for-mentioned turbo kit). But upgrading the exhaust is vital to improving turbo performance. By allowing the gases to expel faster, the turbo(s) can spin more freely, and also improving the waste gate actuation. Additionally you could add the GReddy downpipe for only another $175 tacking on another 3.4+HP and 2.1+TQ. Power gains like these certainly outweigh their costs and give you the look, sound, and performance your Evo X craves.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR (MR EVO) - 5 Tuning Tips For More Power

2010-09-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR (also know as MR Evolution or MR EVO). The MR EVO is one of the finest all-around street performance cars available. This is attributed to its affordable price, (you can get a used 2006 MR EVO for about $20K-28K) its AWD system and its 2.0 liter, 286 horsepower, 289 ft-lbs torque, 4-cylinder engine.

Modifying the MR EVO presents many options as there are a plethora of race companies with parts available. There are certain points on the MR EVO that should be addressed first. MR Evolutions come with many factory placed restrictions. These OEM restrictions were put in place to make the car safer and more reliable for everyday driving. Unfortunately, these restrictions keep your MR EVO from making the most power it can. Below I have the top 5 tuning tips to unleash the true power of your MR EVO!

#1 High-Flowing Air Intake Filter

The MR EVO has the largest stock turbo in any of the Lancer Evolution line-up vehicles. The stock air box is extremely restrictive and a simple air intake replacement will free-up lots of power. The turbo itself will spool up a lot faster, decreasing turbo lag. Gains of anywhere from 8-15hp should be expected. Performance intakes for the MR EVO are very simple to install as well.

#2 High-Flowing 3 Inch Downpipe

The downpipe is one the most crucial parts of any turbocharged car. Upgrading your downpipe will increase loads of horsepower and torque throughout the RPM range. Your turbo will have enhanced spooling characteristics as well. What does this mean? It means that not only will your turbo spool up faster, but your overall boost curve will change as well. When it comes to the MR EVO, the most important place on the exhaust is immediately after the turbo.

#3 High-Flowing 3 Inch Exhaust System

The OEM exhaust on the Lancer Evolution MR is very restrictive. Upgrading the exhaust to a full 3 inch unit does nothing but good in terms of power. Not to mention that sweet exhaust tone that the MR Evolution can make. You will notice an immediate increase in top end power along with a beautiful exhaust tone in the upper RPM. With a variety of styles and finishes available, you can add a little personality to your MR EVO.

#4 High-Performance Clutch

The Mitsubishi Lancer MR clutch is not bad, it just gets bad when you start adding more power to the car. The clutch is must for any MR EVO with performance parts. In my experience with tuning MR Evolutions I found that when the car starts producing about 300hp to the wheels the clutch must be upgraded. When upgrading the clutch you should always replace the flywheel with a lightweight performance version as well. Not only will your clutch hold the power your engine makes, but your overall horsepower will go up as well!

#5 Digital Boost Controller

Boost is one of the most important aspects of the MR EVO. Raising the boost level of the Lancer Evolution is one of the most effective ways to increase horsepower and torque. I have seen a 1 lbs increase in boost result in increases of up to 10 hp! Imagine when you increase the boost by 2, 3, 4, or 5 lbs? Not only that, but a digital boost controller will increase the spool response of your turbo as well. Controlling boost is also crucial if you plan to do more modifications in the future.

There are many options for tuning the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO MR. But these top 5 tips will start you in the right direction to be on the winning team.

Kai Graves is a race mechanic/driver/tuner with 15 years experience in performance automotive. He also owns and operates Leafracing Auto Performance & Service located in Honolulu, HI. Specializing in AWD Turbo modifications and tuning as well as general repairs & maintenance.

Evo Turbo - The Basics Plus Must Know Pro's and Con's About the Evo Turbo

2010-09-01T07:27:00.002-07:00

Before you go off into purchasing a turbo there are a few things you need to know about them first. You need to have a basic understanding of how they work and the whether an evo turbo is what your really looking for.

Basically what a turbo does is...

Really simple without going into shop class 101, your evo turbo basically adds more power to your engine. The tuba shaped turbo rapidly blows tightly compressed air directly into your engine which creates bigger combustion's and adds more torque to the crank. There are more operations that make the turbo work properly but that's why you get the turbo as a kit.

Bad News about Evo Turbo Kits...

If you haven't heard turbo kits are pretty expensive. Yep you can expect the price of a reliable turbo to be around $4 Grand and up without feeling like you've been cheated out of your money.

The other bad news is that there is a learning curve from understanding what evo turbo you need to buy without damaging your engine to actually installing it yourself or having someone service it if something goes wrong.

Good News about the Evo Turbo

A turbo kits puts waaaay more power into your engine. And I added the "aaaa" in way because it's expected, depending on your vehicle specs, 40-60% increase in your engines power. In most cases it's cheaper to buy the kit and see an extreme power difference, then buy a $100 piece here and a $250 piece there and see minimal performance difference compared to a complete kit.

In Summary...

Even though a turbo kit takes a tremendous amount of time and money, it's very much worth it to hear the spool on your turbo, the roar of your external waste gate, the whistle on your blow off valve, and the wind in your face with satisfaction that you built this yourself.

Evo Turbo - Best Turbo System For the Evo X

2010-09-01T07:27:00.001-07:00

Turbo systems have made the Evo tuner world what it is today. The question is which Evo Turbo for the Evo X gives the best bang for the boost. The three main contenders are Street Assassin, Forced Performance, and Garret. The Street Assassin 50 is the easy, bolt on Evo Turbo. After this relatively quick install, you should expect about a 150 hp gain and high eleven's on the track.

FP puts a present under your tree with either the Red or Green Evo Turbo. Just like the Street Assissn 50, the FP Green is a bolt up unit that looks almost entirely stock. It gives a shorter spool for quicker power, but can't match the Red for max horses. The FP Red turbo will get you close to 500hp and high ten's on the quarter mile. Although, you might be disappointed with the lag and might need to compensate with some cam work

Garret by far has the most variety to offer, although the cost is more decisions, more confusion, and more money. The models for the Evo X include the GT30R, GT35R, and the GT37R. Don't let the alphabet soup become overwhelming. The numbers correspond to the frame size of the inducer on the exhaust. Essentially, as this gets bigger, there is more potential power, but more lag. This is seen when comparing the GT35R with the GT37R. One blogger claims that the GT37R makes 75 more hp than the GT35R, giving more than 700 whp. The downside is that the GT37R takes longer to spool to give that power.

In short, the Street Assasin is the easiest and cheapest. Pop it in, get the power, and go. The FP options give some variability. Go with FP Green for a stock look with a little more, and choose FP Red if you're planning to ramp things up later. Garret by far offers the most variability. This lets the die hard get every ounce of performance out of optimizing A/R ratios, trim calculations, and compressor maps. Of course, all this comes with a price.

How the Evo Mitsubishi ACD System Affects Your Driving ExperienceHow the Evo Mitsubishi ACD System Affects Your Driving Experience

2010-09-01T07:26:00.001-07:00

What is ACD Anyway?

ACD stands For Active Control Differentials. Basically the ACD is there to limit you're tires from going too slow or going too fast.

Example... Say you're driving around a corner.... and one of your tires begins moving faster then the Other. The ACD is made aware and begins moving the slowest tire at the same speed as the fastest tire on the same axis.

So the ACD Enhances the drivers corning experience by preventing Slipping, slow downs, and sluggish pull outs while making turns... keeping the the speeds high even while turning.

But ACD is only favorable in ideal driving conditions... So lets talk about Your ACD Condition Settings.

How Gravel option affects ACD driving Experience

Tarmac- This Setting It's meant for hugging the road. Placing your Mitsubishi on this setting activates the ACD at it's most strict operation. The non slip components act IMMEDIATELY when one of the car's tires begins to move faster then the other. If you're going to get the maximum G force experience driving on the road with your Evo then this is the setting to select.

Gravel- If your into dirt rallying then Gravel will be your option. Unlike the Tarmac, the non slip cpu allows your tires to slip longer so that you can slide your car around corners faster. It doesn't responder right away, but it gives you some lee way to get your car in the right position then kicks in so you will not spend most your race sliding.

Snow- This setting is the most loose when it comes to non engaging your ACD. Obviously if your going to drive this through snow then you want to choose this as your option. Again this is for more of an off road drive, and with this setting the ACD takes even longer to respond giving you more traction on snow driving conditions.

A Look at the New Mitsubishi Evo X

2010-09-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

Mitsubishi seems to be in all smiles preparing to sell off its latest Evolution series model, the Evo X. The Evo X sedan is no longer called a Lancer with makeup. It is an all-new model with outstanding performance and gorgeous looks and is all set to capture the hearts and minds of the Indian crowd. Let's have a look at what the new Mitsubishi Evo X has to offer.

First of all, a ride in the car is going to be very exciting with comfort, ride quality and everyday practicality living up to the owner's expectations. While most exotic sports cars like the Ferraris and Lamborghinis are two-seaters, Mitsubishi tries to change the concept. The new Evo X is a four seater that is as chic, interesting, striking and low as a Lambo or Ferrari and matches the performance of these supercars.

Nobody can imagine the amount of power hidden in the Evo X which actually looks as humble as a normal sedan with four doors. Allow it to run and you will know what a high performance it can deliver. The latest Evolution X MR FQ300 has been able to deliver an impressive 290 bhp and a maximum of 366 Nm of gut-wrenching torque. The car's 1998 cc four-cylinder turbocharged engine does the magic.

This engine has been mated with a six-speed sequential shift gear box delivering drive to all four wheels. The car's speed can soar from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.5 seconds and an electronically limited 250 kmph top speed offers the necessary exhilaration. Frighteningly fast!

The Evolution series offers all that a car motoring fanatic would yearn for. The new car is a four-door, four-seater, four-wheel drive car. In spite of the high speeds, the handling is pretty smooth. With the new looks, Mitsubishi has got the job done real well. The looks have changed the entire car. With the launch of the Evo X, practicality with beauty can be a lesson taught by Mitsubishi to many other car makers. The new car has been designed to be extremely gorgeous to lure the crowd while delivering exceptional performance that is sure to attract the speed freaks.

The car has a kerb weight of 1605 kg and every upshift pins the driver to his seat back with ample rage. What's most surprising about the new car is that it is still a family car. Polished and smooth and with great ride quality the car is spacious too.

Coming to the price, if one takes into consideration the specifications the car offers, it's not too difficult to accept the fact that the car comes with a matching tag. The deep-pocketed Indian motoring fanatics will however be able to avail it. The price can be compared to that of a BMW 3-Series. But the engineering, performance and competition pedigree that this car comes with deserves to be priced high.

Mitsubishi EVO 10 Strengths and Weaknesses

2010-09-01T07:03:00.000-07:00

What's So Great About the Mazda MX5?

2010-08-15T10:20:00.000-07:00

The Mazda MX5 two seater sports car has for a long time been considered the best affordable sports car that money can buy, but why is this? Why do so many people give it such rave reviews? The Mark 1, 2 and 3 have all been outstanding successes and this can't be just coincidence. As an owner of an older Mark 2 MX5 for almost three years here's my opinion:

Speed

The MX5 is fast but not by supercar standards - when you've got the lid down you certainly feel as though you are going faster than what you are. The fact that the car is lower to the ground also makes it feel as though you are going much faster than if you were in a regular four seat car. Most people don't by a mazda for its speed though because It's not the speed though that makes the Mazda such fun to drive, it's also the handling

Handling

If you're out on a nice dry summers day there is no car that handles better. The Mazda MX5 has perfect balance, so its weight is perfectly distributed throughout all four tyres - this makes cornering and high speed performance reliable and predictable. It does have to be said though that if you are not used to a rear wheel drive car you will need to take it easy round corners at first. If the road is slightly damp be very careful has it's extremely easy to slide the back end out. This certainly shouldn't put you off owning one though - as I previously mentioned it is predictable - it'll never take you by surprise and if the road is wet you'll know to take extra care.

Fresh Air

Regardless of the model you have the option of removing the lid completely - nothing beats driving with the top down. If you've never done it then once you have you'll feel cheated for the years you missed out on before. There are three types of roof available for the MX5 - you've got a fold down canvas type roof, a clip-on type hardtop and a mechanical folding roof that comes as standard on the roadster models. If you were thinking of getting an MX5 then the sort you would go for would ultimately be driven by your budget. The standard fold down roof is the cheapest and the mechanical storing roof found on the roadster is the most expensive option.

Check Out What Mazda Has Done With the 2010 MAZDASPEED3

2010-08-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

The 2010 MAZDASPEED3 comes equipped with a critically acclaimed 2.3 liter turbocharged MZR Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) engine. Ward's AutoWorld has named it among the 10 best engines for 3 consecutive years, 2006 to 2008.

The MZR is a 2.3 L (2261 cc) dual overhead cam (DOHC), 16-valve, DISI with a compression ratio of 9.5:1. It produces 263 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm. A Warner-Hitachi K04 turbocharger produces roughly 1 bar of boost, equaling approximately 14.7 psi. It has a fuel economy rating of 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

The 2008 and 2009 model MAZDA3 comes with the same engine but without the turbocharger. It produces 156 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 150 lb-ft at 4500 rpm with a fuel economy of 24 city and 27 freeway.

For a production car, the 2007-2010 Mazdaspeed3 is one of the fastest front-wheel drive passenger performance cars in the world. This is thanks to a lightweight chassis mated with Mazda's award winning 2.3 liter MZR DISI engine. The MAZDASPEED3 competes as one of only a few front-wheel drive (FWD), turbocharged vehicles and receives a best-in-class award for power-to-weight ratio. Coupled with a Warner-Hitachi K04 turbocharger, the MAZDASPEED3 is one of the highest performing front-wheel drive cars in its class. The MAZDASPEED3 can go from 0 to 60mph in just under six-seconds.

Mazda's revisions to the 2010 drivetrain include equal-length driveshafts and a cone-type limited slip differential (LSD). These changes were a remedy to previous models' propensity for wheel spin, wheel hop, and torque steer. Additionally, these modifications helped to realize the full performance potential of such a powerful and potent front-wheel drive powerplant.

Gearing for the MAZDASPEED3 has been optimized with taller gear ratios from second to fifth gear, fully taking advantage of the engine's broad torque curve. The fifth and sixth gears are overdrive ratios and fourth gear is taller than the previous year's fourth gear which allows the engine to stay within its peak powerband through the RPM range. Taller gearing would normally allow a higher top speed; the MAZDASPEED3 is electronically limited to 155mph.

Great Cars Under 1000 Dollars - All-Star Profiles - Mazda RX-7

2010-08-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

For some people a great car under $1000 dollars is a vehicle that can be fun to drive and serve an economical purpose. Being a great daily commuter or a winter beater is typically a task that is sought after in a cheap used car. However for some its all about the drive and the fun factor thats why I'll go ahead and say that the vehicle featured in this profile is for those who are looking for a pure sports car.

Profile: (79-85) Mazda RX-7

In 1979 few people in America had ever driven Mazdas or even knew what the heck a "Rotary" engine was, but that all changed with the debut of the RX-7. Mazda set out to build a flagship sports car to compete against the Datsun Z series, and the RX-7 is the product of that effort. What instantly sets the RX-7 apart is the fact that it uses a very unconventional engine known as a "rotary engine". I won't go into great detail about these engines as that is an article in itself, but to give those not in the know an idea; the rotary is basically an engine that does not use pistons like a conventional engine. It uses rotors that "rotate" in a housing in a clock like motion.( remember that spirograph when you were a kid? Now you get the idea). What this allows is a very small and compact design that can provide smooth and high revving power.

The first generation of RX-7 is composed of the parts one would expect in a sports car. A small light weight chassis, high revving engine, rear-wheel drive, and in this case a "front-mid engine" placement. Stock power levels were at about 100hp which provided very respectable speed compared to competition of the time. There were also 3 models the GS, GSL, and GSL-SE each having better features than the next. The GSL-SE models can be highly sought after for their fuel injection and 5 lug hubs making aftermarket wheel choices much better than the other models.

Now on to what makes this car an All-Star. This car was a smash hit for Mazda in the early 80's and although we are only covering the first generation in this profile Mazda produced more advanced and more powerful models all the way up to 1995 in the US. So these cars can be had all day for less than $1000 dollars and most parts are still easy to find and cheap. What makes these cars so much fun is that although the early models didn't have a very technologically advanced design (no rack and pinion steering and a live axle rear end), but they provide everything that a sports car should have. When you sit in one the controls fall to your hands perfectly and even for a 6 + footer like myself the car fits like a glove. Staring at you is a big center mounted tach that the rotary engines just love to push to the limit. For those that are looking for the pure sports car experience that is offered by makes like MG, Triumph, Alfa Romeo, and Porsche this is a car that can fit the bill. The cars balance is perfect, but it is prone to a little snap over steer and the 5.5 inch stock wheels don't provide insane amounts of grip, but none of the other great sports cars of the past really did either. Even the manual steering is a pleasure in these cars as you can really feel the road and the available power is just enough to get you in trouble.

The rotary gets a real bad wrap from a lot of people, but there is a reason it has such a dedicated and enthusiastic following. The 12A engine that came in the early models is a very under stressed engine that in my opinion can hold up to the abuse just as good as anything else. ( if you want some serious horsepower there are several V-8 swap kits available that this chassis can handle with ease) Now after driving and owning a few of these vehicles I can go ahead and say that if you decide to venture out in the snow in an RX-7 do so at your own risk, and as far as fuel mileage goes the rotary is a little thirsty (expect 20 mpg avg. even from this small engine) However gas mileage and winter drive-ability is NOT what this car is all about. These cars are what gave Mazda the right to preach "zoom-zoom" as they provide a true experience for the driver not just another drive. Thats why to this day this author still owns one.

Two 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 Engine Options

2010-08-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

While it is true that there are only two 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 engine options, either power plant is designed to please and provide the ultimate driving experience. The most powerful choice is the 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 3.7 Liter V6 engine that produces 272 horse power and 269 pound feet of torque. The V6 delivers an impressive zero to sixty time of 6.5 seconds and is truly a powerful engine for a relatively light weight car. The fuel economy, however, suffers with the larger engine and estimated gas mileage is only 17 miles per gallon in city settings and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. The only available transmission with the V6 engine is a five speed automatic which has proven to be well matched with the motor.

For individuals that are seeking a more economical power plant in their MAZDA6, the 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 2.5 Liter V4 engine is perhaps the better choice. While it produces 170 horsepower and 167 pound feet of torque, the motor can be matched to one of three different transmissions which allows the driving experience to be matched to the specific desires of the driver. The fuel economy in the smaller engine is improved and the estimated gas mileage is 21 miles per gallon in city settings and a fairly impressive 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

The majority of drivers will find that the 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 2.5 Liter V4 engine is sufficient for their needs, but if a person truly wants a powerful and impressive option, the 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 3.7 Liter V6 engine is the obvious choice. While the fuel economy may not be satisfactory to some consumers, the sheer enjoyment of driving a vehicle that has such an impressive power plant under the hood is often enough to make up for it.

Services Offered by Mazda Wreckers

2010-08-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

Recycling is the order of the day and when it comes to cars the wreckers perform the function. Wreckers are centers or organizations who work towards dismantling or wrecking old or damaged cars and selling the usable parts to individual car owners or manufacturing plants.

There can be a wrecking centre specializing in wrecking only one type of car. For example, Mazda wrecker, Nissan wrecker, Mitsubishi wrecker, Toyota wrecker and the like. In Australia, the Mazda wrecker business has been growing in leaps and bounds with the wreckers having established business ties in Japan, where the cars are manufactured.

The Mazda wreckers are involved in the business of buying damaged or wrecked Mazda vehicles, repairing them or crushing the cars at junkyards and then selling the undamaged parts to individual owners or manufacturers. They not only supplies parts abut also are involved in the service of fitting and arranging the parts in a damaged car.

The services provided can be classified under three heads:

1.Supplying of second hand parts: All second had parts from damaged or old cars are available at the warehouses including Mazda alternators, starter motors, engines, mechanical parts, electrical components, gearboxes, panels, headlamps, tail lamps. The parts are maintained properly to avoid damage and are supplied to customers in reasonably good conditions.

2.Dismantling: The wrecking of all Mazda models are carried on at the junkyards. From the old models to the new ones any Mazda car can be wrecked and dismantled at the wreckers who specialize in dismantling of the Mazda cars. The premium parts, which might be expensive for an individual to buy, are often shipped back to Japan to the manufacturers for new cars.

3.Mechanical service: The wreckers also provide mechanical services to damaged Mazda cars under the guidance of specialized and skilled mechanics. Service available range from Mazda engine fitting, engine rebuilding, conversions as well as a large range of other services.

This apart the Mazda wreckers also keep in stock some new and exclusive parts which suit the need of both old a new Mazda models. These stocks are often bought directly from the manufacturers and kept in stock. Since most of the wreckers are located outside Japan, Mazda's home land, like Australia, USA, Britain etc, availability of such parts can become a hassle for owners.

Some of the prominent Mazda wreckers are located in Australia at places like Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth etc. Since Mazda's merger with Ford, the Mazda wreckers also specialize in wrecking Ford cars. Ford wreckers Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth, and Melbourne are especially prominent in the business. Both Mazda and Ford cars can usually be wrecked at the same centers because many of the cars are of similar built and have similar or compatible parts. Thus Ford owners can get supply parts from Mazda centers and vice-versa.

The Innovative 2010 Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2.5 Liter V4 Engine

2010-08-15T10:15:00.002-07:00

While certain other hybrid models may have several different power plants to choose from, the 2010 Mazda Tribute Hybrid engine options are limited to only one. However, the 2010 2.5 Liter V4 engine serves its purpose well and it is doubtful that any complaints will ever be heard.

The 2010 vehicle 2.5 Liter V4 produces 177 horse power that is derived from the gas engine and two electric motors that function as generators. One of the most interesting aspects of the automobile is the fact that a continuously variable transmission, or CVT, is actually what delivers the power to the wheels. Due to the fact that there's no rotating belt, the vehicle shifts are incredibly smooth and are indicative of the advanced technology found within the vehicle.

Although there are plenty of attributes that impress car enthusiasts, the fuel economy of the engine is fairly admirable. The estimated gas mileage is around 34 miles per gallon on the highway and approximately 31 miles per gallon in busy city settings. There is an AWD model as well and it receives slightly less gas mileage with an estimated 29 miles per gallon on the highway and 28 miles per gallon in the city.

The AWD model cannot actually be considered a traditional four wheel drive vehicle as it incorporates the use of a third electric motor to help ensure that all wheels are being spun at once. However, the innovative 2010 Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2.5 Liter V4 engine is typically sought by individuals that will be using the vehicle in city settings and not looking to take extensive trips off road. Few other vehicles can deliver the power of a V6 engine by using a 2.5 Liter V4.

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 Comes With Turbocharged 2.3 Liter Engine

2010-08-15T10:15:00.001-07:00

The Mazda CX-7 is a mid-size, crossover sports utility vehicle, produced and sold by the Japanese based Mazda Motor Corporation. The CX-7 was first introduced with the 2006 model year. The vehicle was Mazda's first SUV produced since the Navajo, which was discontinued after the 1994 model year.

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 comes with two engine options. The first engine option is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine which comes as standard in all trims. For a crossover SUV, the 2.5-liter engine does not get very good performance. The 2.5-liter engine generates 161 horsepower when it is coupled with the standard five-speed automatic transmission. While performance is not too impressive, the new 2.5-liter engine gets 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway, as estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The second engine option for the 2010 automobile is a turbocharged 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine. When the turbocharged engine is selected, the SUV is upgraded to a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine gets much better performance than the 2.5-liter option. The turbocharged engine produces and EPA estimated 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

Both engine options comes standard with two wheel drive, but either can be upgraded to all wheel drive. If all wheel drive is selected, then fuel efficiency will decline by 5% to 10%. Prior to the 2010 Mazda CX-7, the only engine option available was the turbocharged engine. The new 2.5-liter engine is preferred by many who are looking to save of fuel expenses.

Mazda RX8 For Sale

2010-08-15T10:14:00.001-07:00

The RX-8 is Mazda's follow-up to the classic RX-7 eight years after they ceased production of it. Mazda launched the first Mazda RX-8 for sale in 2003, and has made one every year since. While the car still boasts the trademark rotary engine, the RX-8 has never managed to capture the American car buyer's imagination the way that the RX-7 once did. The 2010 Mazda RX-8 is an amazing performer in some scenarios, and it has gone a long way toward changing perspective. However, it still has some unfortunate issues, and thus a long way to go.

The Mazda RX-8 is a rear-hinged 2-door 4-seat coupe available at three trim levels: Sport, Grand Touring, and R3. The "base" Sport package includes 18-inch wheels, performance tires, cruise control, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel, a 6-speaker CD stereo system, and an auxiliary audio jack. There is also a rear-lip spoiler, but it is only available on manual-transmission models.

The Grand Touring package adds a limited-slip rear differential, fog lamps, automatic xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic climate control, keyless ignition and entry, heated front seats, an eight-way power driver seat with memory, leather upholstery, a sunroof, Bluetooth, and a 9-speaker Bose surround-sound system with a 6-CD change and satellite radio. The only option, a touchscreen navigation system with voice commands, is available for the GT only.

The premium, high-performance R3 trim includes much, but not all, of what is in the GT trim. For instance, the keyless ignition and entry, Bluetooth connectivity, xenon headlights, and the audio system, are there. The R3 package brings 19-inch wheels, a racing-tuned suspension, Recaro front sport seats, a restyled front bumper, and a rear wing spoiler.

Under the hood of the rear-wheel-drive Mazda RX-8, is the 1.3L rotary engine. Paired with the 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, the engine produces 212 horsepower and redlines at 7,500 rpm. The 6-speed manual transmission increases that output to 232 horsepower, and the redline sits at an impressive 9,000 rpm. Both setups generate a limited 152 pound-feet of torque. Most tests put the RX-8 with the manual transmission at the 7-second range for 0-60 mph times. That's quick, but not quick enough for a sport car of this caliber at this price point.

The RX-8 is the only rotary-powered car on the planet, and that definitely increases the excitement level, at least temporarily. However, with the rotary power comes that low-end torque, which makes the vehicle underwhelming for everyday use. The other problem is that the high-revving nature of the engine makes the car an awful fuel performer even compared to other sports car. The mileage ratings are up there in the league of 4,000+ pound SUVs, and that is just unacceptable. While we hope that Mazda can innovate Wenkel's engine in a way that can make it palatable to modern drivers, our hunch is that this is just an outdated technology.

The 2010 Mazda RX-8 may be the right sports car for some people, especially those who simply have an affinity for the rotary engine Mazdas. Considering price starts at about $25,000, most consumers will be better off waiting for the RX-8 to be more refined. For those considering a Mazda RX-8, they may also want to experience the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the Nissan 370Z, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse for comparison.

The 2010 Mazda CX-9 is the Newest Full-Size SUV

2010-08-15T10:13:00.001-07:00

The 2010 Mazda CX-9 is the newest full-size SUV offering from Mazda, and has been lauded by reviewers and customers alike for its comfort, style, and available options. Mazda has been known for its unwavering reliability, and the CX-9 is no exception: This is an SUV that will carry you, your family, and all of your gear swiftly and competently.

Powered by a strong 3.7 liter V6, the CX-9 sees 273 horsepower sent to its front wheels, making it considerably more powerful than most SUVs in its class for the price. The V6's horsepower is more than enough to get the 4400 pound SUV to scoot around in traffic; most customers find that their favorite feature is the fact that the hefty Japanese SUV will get up and go when they need it to. The 3.7 liter V6 also comes with a very respectable 270 foot-pounds of torque, ensuring that the weight of the vehicle itself won't compromise its passing ability. This engine, in typical Mazda fashion, is a high-revving type; peak horsepower is reached at 6250 RPM, with peak torque found at a lower 4250 RPM. This lower torque peak is essential for its excellent towing ability. Its 270 foot-pounds directly contribute to its 2000 pound useful towing capacity, and ensure that the driver has more than enough oomph to get up any hill that might stand in his or her way.

Gas mileage is certainly impressive for a vehicle of its size. Drivers can expect to see 16 miles per gallon in the city, and 22 miles per gallon on the highway, putting it squarely above many vehicles in its class. For the weight of the vehicle and the available horsepower, very few SUVs can compete. This is certainly the SUV for you if you're on a budget.

Mitsubishi Express Lab MT1U

2010-08-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, it's Frederic again bringing news about the Mitsubishi Express Lab MT1U, a fantastic solution that can help your business enter the highly profitable Photo Lab market. This system offers a wide variety of options and you'll be surprised to know how easy it is to install and operate.

To begin with, the MT1U is very compact and won't take much real estate from you so you can have it installed in your business and also take it to different events due to its portability.

It really took us few minutes to setup the MT1U at the office. It consists of two modules: the Console with a 10" touch screen display and the Dye Sublimation Printer, a Mitsubishi CP-9550DW-U. Installing is really amazing because everything is Plug-and-Play, once we connected the power cords and the data cable between the console and the printer the rest was just a matter of loading the paper and the ribbon. I had my camera with me so I plugged its SD card to the MT1U Console and uploaded a couple of images. In less than 5 minutes I could print a new calendar for my desk with a great picture of my kids in it!

Mitsubishi Express Lab The touch screen shows all the options in a very friendly graphic interface and here's where you realize how versatile the MT1U is. You can choose from Compositions, Photo IDs, Calendars, Collages, Frames and Greetings, Mosaic Posters and more. You can even change the language of the whole display with one touch! This is of great value when your customers are visitors from other countries.

The MT1U offers several tools for image enhancement too, just to mention a few: One-touch image adjustment to correct brightness and contrast, Red-Eye removal, Crop, Zoom, Rotation, Sepia and B/W. The Photo ID engine is very powerful and allows you to compose an ID photo from an existing image. Thanks to the different layouts available for each country and Biometric Masks to position the picture correctly, you'll be able to create professional Photo IDs in minutes.

Jordan Motorcycle Jacket - Save Your Life Before it is Too Late!

2010-08-15T10:11:00.001-07:00

Life is precious and expensive; there is nothing you can do once it is lost. Therefore, try your best to make your life as safe and secure as it can possibly be. Some of us have hobbies which can prove to be fatal. We should enjoy life and do not give up such hobbies to some limited extend, but we should also not ignore all the safety and precautions we can take for our well being. Jordan Motorcycle Jacket is a brand that offers amazing motorcycle jackets to assure safety for motorcyclists. These jackets are available in highly affordable prices and can be bought easily through market stores or online stores.

Available for both the gender, these jackets can be found in various sizes to suit everyone who wants to protect his/her life. Colors such as blue, black, yellow, white and many others can be found to match your needs and tastes. The jackets have been designed by using amazing scientific technology and advance techniques, which help protecting your life in the best possible way.

While riding your bike you can indulge yourself into different types of major and minor accidents. The jackets have been designed to secure your upper body part in a perfect way. Spines, elbows, arms and chest parts are guaranteed to be safe when you wear this jacket while riding around on your motorbike.

The removable insulator liners in the jackets enable you to use the jackets for summers as well as for winters. These jackets feature C.E protectors in elbows and shoulders which help keep them unhurt and unharmed during an accident. Made of nylon shell, the jackets are wind and water resistant. The presence of elastic sleeve adjusters assures comfort and safety at the same time. Spinal protectors can also be added, according to your desire. Removable spinal pads with pockets are made so that you can add extra protectors if you want. The jackets offer a kind of a glow-in-the-dark effect, which makes the wearer visible even in the dark. This quality of the jackets helps preventing accidents in the dark of the night.

Save your life before it is too late! Life is precious and if you have a chance of saving it at such a low price, then do not give up!