Auto Show Season Brings BIG Auto Spices

Auto Show Season Brings BIG Auto Spices

by Anthony Fontanelle

This year's auto season delivered exotic spices to produce a luscious feast in the automotive industry. The banquet is a replica of one strong message - TRANSITION.

Getting more powerful The Toyota Motor Corp.'s Scion brand unleashed more powerful product lines not by featuring the EBC Greenstuff but through more potent engines. The brand launched the second-generation xB at the Chicago Auto Show. The car is made to be boxy cool, compact and high-performing as compared to its ancestor. The secret spice? The 2.4-liter engine that replaced the previous 1.5-liter unit.

Would the alterations spoil Scion's success? Steve Haag, the Scion corporate manager, said no. "The all-new xB was designed with the help of our passionate owner body. No other automotive company listens to their customers like we do. Our xB owners wanted a larger vehicle with a more powerful engine," he declares.

The Japanese automaker also replaced the xA hatchback with the new xD, also slightly larger and more powerful than its predecessor with a 1.8-liter engine. All Scion models for 2008 received the new Scion family front design which has been described by Haag as a "menacing horizontal combination of headlights and grille."

Additionally, standard equipment and safety features have been expanded, and the list of available accessories is even longer than before. What does not change, said Haag, is "a strategy to keep our models surprising, versatile, exclusive and personalization-friendly."

Rear-wheel drive spice When Hyundai announced its plan to set forth a rear-wheel drive revolution, few took it seriously. But not until the Genesis Concept was introduced at the much-concluded New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). Genesis, the midsize, rear-wheel drive sedan, is a disguised prototype for an upcoming model. The vehicle is designed to compete with the Infiniti G-series, Lexus IS and even the GS models.

"Genesis will allow us to speak to driving enthusiasts and showcase our engineering," Johnson said. "Until Genesis, Hyundai had never had a car on the cover of Motor Trend," said Hyundai Motor America spokesman Miles Johnson.

Johnson added that the Genesis marketing strategy will give Hyundai something that Toyota and Honda franchises do not offer: a rear-wheel drive luxury/sport model. He pointed out, though, that the Genesis marks an expansion rather than sea change for the brand. "We're not walking away from Accent and Elantra," he said. The Genesis will showcase the automaker's new 300-plus horsepower V-8 and also offer a V-6 model priced under $30,000.

Kia and its Soul Kia, the Korean automaker, introduced its Soul Concept, a small crossover utility vehicle. Kia Motors America Marketing VP Ian Beavis described the Soul as a "halo model," a term not usually connected with low-priced vehicles. Halo, in this sense, means the Soul conveys the essence of the brand in a volume model.

Conceding the present product lines of the automaker have rather blend-in styling, Beavis said that the Soul kicks off a new era in expressive design for Kia while maintaining the brand's value story. The boxy Soul, powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, enters the market dominated by the Scion xB, Chevrolet HHR and the Honda Element. The production version of the Soul is due for 2008.

Asked how the Soul fits the brand's "Exciting and Enabling" credo, Beavis said, "Exciting doesn't necessarily mean the biggest engine on the block." The value, he added, will enable buyers to enjoy their lifestyles with this vehicle.

All-new Mercedes C-Class Mirrors Dealers Whims Robert Allan, the product manager for the third-generation 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class which is due this summer, said that this car reflects far more input from Mercedes dealers than any of its predecessors did.

The all-new 2008 C-Class will offer a separate Sport model series, clearly delineated by design, feature content, and handling performance. The 2008 C-Class Sport models wear the brand's 'coupe' front end styling, which flaunts a simpler grille with big star emblem in place of the C-Class Luxury models' conventional Mercedes grille and hood ornament.

The differences from its predecessor are more than skin deep. Allan noted that the Sport models get special suspension tuning and wheels, AMG exterior styling and unique interiors. Meanwhile, dealers asked and received expanded standard equipment, simplified ordering and option packages, and the 4MATIC option on both the C300 Sport and Luxury models.

Audi's True Coupe Audi has not marketed a coupe in the United States since after the 1991 model year, so the A5 coming for 2008 etch a remarkable change in strategy for the brand. The company spokesman Chris Bokich said that the A5 coupe, while sharing mechanical elements with other Audi models, is a separate model series, not a variation on another body style as its previous coupes had been. The A5 also exudes the automaker's vehicle construction flexibility.
"The A5 is indicative of what is to come on future Audi models, both in terms of extroverted exterior and interior design, as well as technically regarding the modular-structure technology," said Bokich. "We have moved away from platforms and are now mixing and matching skeletal underbody components that can efficiently produce vehicles of differing length, width, and height."

Linking the Past to the Future Maserati gets back to its roots with the 2008 GranTurismo coupe. Though the previous Maserati coupe evoked a few classic brand design elements, the new GranTurismo pulls more attributes from the rich and varied heritage of the automaker for inspiration. The grille is pure 1950s-era Maserati racecar, and the long-hood proportions evoke the legendary Maserati front-engine GT coupes of the 1950s and 1960s.

"The GranTurismo is a true Maserati at first glance. It has already garnered global admiration and we are proud to now bring it to North America," said James Selwa, the President and CEO of Maserati North America. The new model also builds on a successful brand strategy. "Maserati has become a competitive, credible choice in the $100,000 plus range, no small feat given the strong field of competitors in our segment," Selwa added.

What the future brings Infiniti also flaunted a concept vehicle at the New York Auto Show - the EX. The company spokesman Kyle Bazemore said that the EX Concept is "about 85 percent" true to the production EX35 model due late this year.

Smaller than the current FX crossover utility vehicle, the EX does not replace it. Bazemore expects the EX's coupe-like styling to attract new customers to the brand. The EX35 rivals the BMW X3 and the Acura RDX. Cutting-edge technologies introduced include the Around View Monitor (AVM) camera system that reduces blind spots, and the Lane Departure Warning System. Infiniti will introduce another world technology first at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

2008 Mustang: Ford's Brand New Warrior

2008 Mustang: Ford's Brand New Warrior

by Anthony Fontanelle

The Ford Motor Co. announced last Friday the new 2008 Mustang with Warriors in Pink package - a limited production of 2,500 vehicles in support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The limited edition Mustang is produced in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists.

The new Mustang is the first-ever vehicle from the automaker to be designed exclusively in support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Now on its 13th year of support, Ford has dedicated more than $90 million in cash and in-kind donations to help save lives and fight breast cancer.

The Ford Mustang is one of the greatest milestones in the auto industry's success stories of all time. Nearly one out of every two sports cars sold in America is a Mustang, and the vehicle remains one of the hottest selling road machines in America. Mustang is also America's best selling convertible. Launched in 2006, the Ford Warriors in Pink campaign stresses courage and power in dealing with the everyday challenges of fighting breast cancer. The Warriors in Pink collection of apparel for men and women feature important symbols signifying the message of hope, strength and unity in the commitment to the fight against breast cancer.

The Mustang with Warriors in Pink package will add a pink ribbon and Pony fender badge, a pink Mustang rocker tape striping, charcoal leather seats with pink stitching, an aluminum-spoke steering wheel with pink stitching and charcoal floormats with pink ribbon. This is in addition to trusted auto parts consisting of Ford Mustang tire chain, engines, suspension, radiator, and more.

"Ford has been a long-standing supporter of Komen for the Cure and this year we've designed a special product to help raise awareness and find a cure for breast cancer," said Connie Fontaine, the Ford Customer Experience Manager. "For the 2007 campaign, Ford truly breaks the mold by creating the first-ever Ford 2008 Mustang with Warriors in Pink package to support Komen for the Cure. With the addition of the new Mustang to Ford's already powerful line of Warriors in Pink gear available at Fordcares.com, we plan to have yet another successful year as we provide our support in the fight against breast cancer."

For this year, the automaker offers more options including a DVD-Based GPS Navigation System made by Pioneer, heated seats, power passenger seats, revised interior colors, and the Sirius satellite radio. The GT Appearance Package made its debut in 2007 as well. This package adds a non-functional hood scoop, bright rolled exhaust tips and an engine cover featuring the pony emblem.

The new Mustang, fueled by the Warrior spirit, will be delivered to dealers in mid-summer. The automaker's goal is to donate more than half a million dollars through sales of the new Mustangs in addition to other fundraising efforts. The money shall be used by the organization to disseminate information and to help breast cancer patients. To stress, about ten million women around the world could die from breast cancer in the next 25 years without the right cure.

Three new Warrior symbols debut this year, representing the Warrior spirit in each one of us - from power and courage to strength and compassion. These new symbols will be found on additional apparel items available for men, women and children. All apparel is available on Fordcares.com and 100 percent of the net proceeds will be donated to Komen for the Cure. More than $1 million of merchandise were sold in 2006.

The limited edition 2008 Mustang with Warriors in Pink package is currently available for consumers to pre-order through their local Ford dealers. The Mustangs, fueled by the Warrior spirit, will be delivered to dealerships in the mid-summer.

Available on the V-6 Premium Array Coupe or Convertible models, the Mustang with Warriors in Pink package will add a pink ribbon and Pony fender badge, pink Mustang rocker tape striping, charcoal leather seats with pink stitching, an aluminum-spoke steering wheel with pink stitching and charcoal floormats with pink ribbon and contrast stitching. The Mustang with Warriors in Pink package, which includes the Mustang Pony package, will be available in three colors to please the spirits of all Warriors - black, metallic silver and performance white.

Volvo's Clean Inside Clean Outside Philosophy

Volvo's Clean Inside Clean Outside Philosophy

by Glady Reign

It is common knowledge for car enthusiasts that the Swedish brand Volvo is known for the safety of their vehicles. Since the founding of the company 80 years ago, they have made safety their top priority when creating their products. But aside from developing safety features such as the BLIS, ROPS and WHIPS, the company is also devoting their effort to help protect the environment and at the same time provide comfortable and convenient consumer features. This concern for the environment is part of Volvo Cars' Clean Inside Clean Outside philosophy.

Clean Inside means that the development of fabrics, leathers, and other materials used for the interior of Volvo vehicles should be consumer and environment friendly. The company uses consumer friendly fabrics for the seats, carpets, and even safety belts of their vehicles. The OEKO-Tex 100 Textile standard, according to the company's website, is a benchmark used in the European industry. The said standard calls for the use of fabrics, threads, carpets and safety belts which do not have any amount of hazardous substance on it. This is made sure by checking that the process used in the production of the said materials has limited or no use of harmful substance. This step is made to ensure that the occupants of their vehicles will not risk their health by being exposed to the harmful element which could have been present in the said material if the standard was not upheld.

Another part of Volvo Cars' Clean Inside standard is the "Nose Team". According to the Ford Motor Company owned brand, a "Nose Team" tests the smell of the materials used on the interior of every Volvo auto model. This step is to find out whether the materials will be pleasant or not. The team tests these materials under several conditions. Volvo said that they even test the materials' smell after being heated under the sun. This shows how far the company would go to ensure that they will deliver the best vehicles for their consumers.

Under their Clean Outside program, the company is concerned about making their engines produce as little harmful gas emission as possible. With the use of different exhaust filters which treats the exhaust gases, Volvo Cars have reduced the emission of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon emissions by as much as 99 percent.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas which is regarded as the most common type of deadly poisoning in many countries. The gas affects the central nervous system and the heart, two of the most vital organs of the human body. The gas can also affect a fetus inside a pregnant woman. Nitrogen oxides are also toxic and contribute heavily to global warming since it is a greenhouse gas. The reduction of these emissions means that Volvo cars can meet the strict emission standard mandated by different countries. In the European Union, a harsher emission standard has already been approved and in the United States, the state of California is known for the strict emission laws.

One concrete evidence of the Clean Outside program for Volvo is the fact that the new Volvo XC90 has already met California's requirements for the ULEV or Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle classification.

Environment friendly vehicles can only be considered green cars if the manner they were produced did not produce substances or emissions which can damage the environment. Volvo is aware of this fact and it has the distinction of having the world's cleanest factory. The said facility is also part of Volvo's Clean Outside program. The company's paint shop in Torslanda, Sweden is given the distinction of being the cleanest factory since 1991. The said factory produces a limited amount of potentially hazardous materials and the company is still working to cut it down. This complements the flex-fuel vehicles that Volvo is producing which are made with high quality Volvo performance parts.

With Ford having clean factories, it is not a surprise that one of its subsidiaries is also working to make their vehicles and production facilities even cleaner.

Ford's Wixom Plant To Shut By Month's End

Ford's Wixom Plant To Shut By Month's End

by Correy Putton

The Ford Motor Co. said that its Wixom assembly plant will close on May 31. The Wixom plant, primarily built for Lincoln sedans and was once treated as one of the company's flagship factories, will be closed as part of Ford's turnaround plan. Additionally, the automaker, which lost $12.7 billion last year, has said that it will close 16 facilities and cut as many as 30,000 jobs by 2012.

At the plant, there are no outward signs to remind workers of the closure after its 50 years of existence in the industry. The atmosphere is business as usual - cars churning outside and workers busy with their tasks. Except for one scrawled on a nearby dry-erase board: "Hey hey hey goodbye. Good luck and good fortune to all."

The automaker's suburban factory in Detroit, which opened in 1957, is manufacturing Lincoln Town Cars. At present, the facility employs 1,100 employees. The plant has produced the Ford GT, Thunderbird, the Lincoln Continental and the Mark series, and it has also won numerous awards.

Workers at the Wixom plant say the history of building high-quality cars will continue until its last day and even after production stops. "Although there's disappointment, people are vigilant that they want to preserve the proud legacy of the Wixom Assembly Plant," said Phil Calhoun, the plant manager. He said that morale is high because workers were offered transfers to other facilities or one of several severance packages that included educational buyouts or retirement.

Calhoun noted workers also are proud of the traditional and performance parts assembled as well as the 6.6 million cars produced at the plant. The awards yielded in relation to the plant include four Motor Trend Car of the Year honors and being named one of America's Best Plants by Industry Week in 1990. While he called Wixom "Ford's crown jewel," the plant has fallen victim to shifting customer demands, fluctuations and the realities of global auto manufacturing.

At its employment peak in 1973, the plant employed nearly 5,500 workers. In 1988, it produced more than 280,000 vehicles. Last year, the Wixom plant produced about 42,000 cars consisting of the Town Car and the Lincoln LS. The LS ceased production after four months and the GT ceased after nine months.

The Town Car production will move to St. Thomas Assembly in Ontario, Canada, and with it, the process Wixom workers developed in the late 1990s to "stretch" regular Town Cars for extended sedans, limos and hearses. The cars, minus roofs and rear doors, are cut in half and a 12-inch patch is added. The plant makes about 26 of the long-wheel-base vehicles a day.

Mike Pettegrew said that he will follow production to St. Thomas, which makes the Mercury Grand Marquis. "I would've liked to see it go two more years - that's when I retire," said Pettegrew, a plant vehicle team manager who has been at Wixom for 14 of his 20 years with Ford. "It's probably the right thing to do. Both cars are off the same platform."

Alonzo Smith, a Wixom assembly worker for 18 years, said that he is going to a local plant that builds prototypes. He described Wixom as a "big happy family," but has no regrets. Of course, for him it is a little easier, since it is the place nine years ago he where met his future wife, Stefanie Harris, who likely will be going to the Dearborn Frame Plant. "I'm not disappointed - when one door closes, a lot of others open up," he said. "Ford gave everyone a chance to pick something else."

Michael Parsons, a group leader at the plant for 15 of his 16 and a half years with Ford, called the Wixom closing a "happy ending for everybody," though he said that was not the case when workers learned about it more than a year ago. The January 2006 announcement came after months of rumors and conflicting media reports. After workers shared their concerns with management, he said, communication improved.

"(They) said, 'We're going to try to let your people know before you see it in the media," said Parsons, who is going to work for Ford's Livonia Transmission Plant. "That made a big difference." Still, he said the plant closing hurts "like losing a friend." He is looking forward to the Wixom Legacy Celebration - a Saturday event designed to honor all who have worked at the plant during the past five decades. "There are a lot of good things to remember," he said.

What about the next generation BMW 5 Series?

What about the next generation BMW 5 Series?

by Evander Klum

To be launched in 2010, the next generation BMW 5 Series comes with an entirely new platform as well as a new exterior designs. Generally speaking, the design is entirely different from the E60 5 Series. The only resemblance is the "flame surfacing", as how BMW calls it. This is composed of concave and convex shapes.

These insights were according to Radovan Varicak, a BMW insider.

A car that is already on the pedestal, the sixth generation BMW 5 Series will have an excellent, particularly luxurious design which will be initiated by Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW's design manager.

In order to comply with stronger pedestrian protection laws and policies, the front-end will somewhat featue a more upright kidney grille. With unstretched head lights, the BMW 5 Series' "flame surfacing" will be clearly depicted in the engine hood's lines. Now, the rear roofline and C-pillar transcends more fluidly to the trunk lid. For a more impressive width, the parts of the tail-lights continue onto the trunk lid.

With an all new Chasis, the sixth generation 5-series has feature similar to double wishbones in the front, like on the new X5. The BMW chasis engineeers said this is to yield better control and road grip around corners. The adaptive shock absorbers is arranged to become more efficient and for the sake of active steering. This is done with the help of the trmendously fast Flex-Ray automotive network communications protocol. The Bavarian auto manufacturer will also be updating its iDrive system with an addition of another couple of programmable buttons.

The sedan is sporty enough. In fact it will come with a V10 motor. That is more power than the 507hp offered in today's edition.

The BMW insider said the auto maker is not closing its doors to the possibility of putting a similar technology as the full-hybrid system with an electric motor while the making of the model is not yet done.

With all these features, BMW fans will certainly be more excited for the launch of this new vahicle.

BMW, maker of quality BMW air filter, is the abbreviation for Bayerische Motoren Werke. It is translated in English as Bavarian Motor Works. It is an independent German company and at the same time manufacturer of motorcycles and automobiles. It is from where MINI and Rolls-Royce came from.

With the company slogan "The Ultimate Driving Machine", BMW is committed to be such through its inventions and innovations.

Toyota Oil Filter

Toyota Oil Filter

by Logan Taft

The internal combustion engine of your Toyota can provide you with a tremendous amount of horsepower, but in order to maintain that excellent performance, the engine parts must be constantly lubricated. The reason for this that the engine contains a lot of moving parts move very closely against each other at high speeds, often for extended periods of time. And such movement creates friction, which absorbs power generated by the engine that could otherwise be used in other purposes. And by keeping it lubricated, your engine is assured of seamless movement and of peak performance. And the substance that is used to lubricate the engine of your car is the motor oil.

A type of liquid oil, motor oil is used to lubricate the internal combustion engines of almost all of the cars on the road today. Motor oils often consist of dense petroleum hydrocarbon base stock that is derived from crude oil and has additives that improve its properties. And one of those major properties found in motor oils is that they create a lubricating film between moving parts within its viscosity. Viscosity, in simple terms, is the crude measure of thickness, or a quantity of resistance to flow. The viscosity of the motor oil is high enough to sustain a lubricating film, but low enough so that the oil can flow through out the engine parts adequately in order for them to be coated at all times. Motor oils also have the ability to flow even at low temperatures and have a high flashpoint. Hydrocarbons found the motor oil can burn if ignited, but since it has a flashpoint, the chance of motor igniting is close to zero. And what's more, motor oil can also remove the heat of the engine and serve as a protective coating to the various engine components against oxygen, which can oxidize at increased operating temperatures. Other properties of motor oils also include the ability to inhibit corrosion and have detergent additives that keep the engine clean. But over time, the constant rubbing of the engine parts against each other can create microscopic metallic particles from the wearing of the surfaces. And along which sludge that also accumulates in the engine, the particles can circulate in the oil and grind against the moving parts of the engine and cause premature erosion and wear. And because such particles and sludge inevitably build up in the motor oil, your Toyota comes equipped with a Toyota Oil Filter to remove those harmful materials.

Found on the side of the engine block, Toyota Oil Filters are one of the crucial components that safeguard the engine of your vehicle. Every time the oil pump circulates the motor oil through the engine, it also passes the oil through the oil filter. And it is here that the oil filter does its job of protecting the engine by blocking the contaminants that can cause damage to the engine if left unchecked and allowed to circulate in the engine freely. Oil filters often have a special filter media for this purpose. However, since they constantly screen out particulates, oil filters can also get clogged. Because of this, Toyota Oil Filters must be replaced within 3,000 miles.

Toyota Lights

Toyota Lights

by Logan Taft

One of the things that you have to consider when it comes to the safety of driving your Toyota is visibility. Having a clear vision of the road must always be a top priority whenever you drive. However, having a clear vision of the road every time you drive is not easy, especially at night. Motor vehicles are vulnerable to accidents at night, since the darkness impairs the sight of the driver, which can be quite dangerous and even fatal. Other factors that can reduce visibility while driving include fog, sleet, or heavy rain or snowfall. And in order to supplement the vision of the driver and to reduce accidents on the road due to poor visibility, the manufacturers of Toyota have various Toyota Lights equipped in their system.

The Toyota Lights are essential parts in your vehicle because they illuminate your car and its surroundings and providing an improved vision in low visibility situations such as nightfall. Lights can also help you see other car approaching you on the road, as well as pedestrians and road signs that you might have find difficulty looking at when it goes dark. There are many types of lights that you might find in your car, but probably the most common and most widely used is the headlight. Every commercial motor vehicle that you can find in the road today has headlights, and what makes them so important is that they have the primary purpose of illuminating the way in front of your car. Usually found in pairs, the headlights fitted on or above the front bumper and works by emitting a spectrum of light that closely resembles daylight. And in order to achieve this type of brightness, most sealed beam headlights contain bulbs with tungsten tips and are filled with halogen gas, which gives of a bright light. But aside from halogen, xenon has been also used in headlights. But aside from headlights, there are also other Toyota Lights that are also crucial in your car's safety. Although they resemble headlights, fog lights emit a less bright beam but have a reduced reflective sheen that is used in low-visibility conditions such as dense fog and sleet. Turn signal lights are also found in the front and back of your car and help other drivers know whether your car is headed left or right. And if you look inside the cabin, you can see lights from the car lamp and the instrument panel, which help you in a variety of functions.

Besides from providing visibility, the Toyota Lights also provide a touch of style to your vehicle. Many cars owners customize their vehicles with additional lights for aesthetic purposes. One such light is a strobe light, which is usually fitted in the underbelly of the car. Strobe lights emit light at very fast intervals, giving out a cool resemblance of a disco theme. Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, also became quite popular soon after, and today neon lights in bright color are often installed in cars to enhance their appearance. But whatever their purpose maybe, it is always important to always check your Toyota Lights for signs of damage, for a broken light can spell disaster for your car.

Serious Maintenance for Serious Race Cars

Serious Maintenance for Serious Race Cars

by Evander Klum

Car racing has always been a serious matter. Extreme agility is needed when racing -- and the car used for racing must also always be seriously maintained.

The car maintenance tips discussed here are only for those very knowledgeable on their cars and those who feel comfortable while doing a car repair. In other words, these are for those who really take car racing and maintenance serious matters.

Cars are machines. They are subject to any wear and tear. Frequent usage of the car contributes a lot in this deterioration.

Cars are composed of integral parts and all of these are essential. Examples of those essential things are the plastic bulkheads. As car ages, these get looser and weaker. However, constant tightening and loosening of the screws that go into these bulkheads will greatly contribute to their severe breakdown. Buying new plastic bulkheads is the best remedy to this car problem. This would prevent the wrecking of the chassis while racing.

When tearing some car parts, the hinge pins, shock shafts and king pins should be checked. A flat glass or counter top will help in determining any unwanted tears. Roll those aforementioned auto parts across a flat glass. If you notice an unsteady rocking motion, it means you have to replace those parts. If this is not immediately resolved, this might result to the binding up of the suspension movement. Is it also advisable to put the hinge pins in a rotary tool before a race. A polishing compound will make the hinges work better.

The plastic parts of the ball cups and shock ends need to be replaced in order to get a more efficient suspension set up. Car owners differ in the way they maintain their cars. To get a tighter fit on the ball ends, some race car owners build up layers of CA glue inside the ball cups.

A scratch on the ball ends will mean their replacement. If not replaced immediately, the scratch will be caught on the plastic ball end. Consequently, it will cause the binding of the scratch.

To maintain the ball bearings, completely clean out the thick grease from the bearings before a race. This can be done through soaking the bearings over night in a grease solvent. Then, spray the bearings with motor spray or any brake parts cleaner. To end the maintenance, put some very minute amount of miniature bearing oil to the bearings. Nonetheless, other racers do the alternative. To remove the extra friction, they sometimes remove the side shields from the bearings.

Shocks need to be rebuilt more often. The most important thing on race cars that racers must keep in mind is to assure the shock's total length is exactly the same from left to right. This is to make sure the car is not jerked to make sure the shock's overall length is the same from left to right. Different shock lengths in the front and in the rear must be trimmed properly. To know the total length, measure it using a set of calipers. And to adjust the lengths, simply turn the plastic shaft end. If you want to replace the shocks, Bilstein shocks are among the best options.

The World's Ten Fastest Cars

The World's Ten Fastest Cars

by Anthony Fontanelle

The world where auto enthusiasts thrive is filled with variables that to outsiders would mean nothing at all. Terms like rpm, 0-60, 0-100, 100-0, horsepower, torque, and the likes may seem unfathomable for those who live outside this realm. But what everyone knows about is speed. When it comes to cars, the faster your car, the better it is.

While manufacturers tagged their vehicles with top speeds of so and so, it is really hard to find the fastest cars just by looking at the numbers supplied by their makers. That is where the acceleration from a standstill to 60 miles per hour or 100 kilometers per hour is checked. By testing different cars for their acceleration, it is possible to rank the fastest cars in the world today.

That is what automotoportal.com has done to come up with the list of the ten fastest cars in the world. The cars considered for the test, of course, excludes the concept on one-off cars due to their unfair advantage.

Coming in at the tenth place is the Lamborghini Gallardo. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's "entry-level" car, if you can consider a pricey car such as this to be an entry-level car. The Gallardo is the first car to be equipped with the massive Lamborghini V10 engine which produces as much as 520 horsepower. The engine gives the Gallardo a time of 13.65 seconds going from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour.

Translated to 0-60 mph, the Gallardo's time is 4 seconds. This makes the Gallardo even faster than the Murcielago.

Taking the ninth spot is the Porsche 911 Turbo. The 911 has been making waves in the supercar arena since its introduction in 1964. For its length of tenure as a mass produced car, the 911 has undergone a lot of changes which have made it faster and faster year after year.

While the Porsche 911 produces only 480 horsepower, it uses its integral drive system which reduces wheel slipping which means that limited power is wasted. The 911 achieved a time of 12.5 seconds in the 0-100-0 test.

The Caterham CSR260 sits at the eighth position. The CSR is the latest installment from supercar manufacturer Caterham Cars and it is the most modified vehicle from the sports car manufacturer. While its 2.3-liter engine produces only 250 horsepower, it has a relatively low weight which gives the CSR a time of 11.95 seconds to speed to a hundred kilometers per hour from a standstill.

The CSR's weight is only 555 kilograms which gives the car an astonishing mass to power ratio of 0.5 horsepower per kilogram.

The seventh fastest car in the world is the Pagani Zonda. This mid-engine sports car is made by the Argentinean car manufacturer Pagani which is currently based in Italy. The company produces about 25 Zondas every year. Its powerplant is of German origin which makes the Zonda truly an international car.

The Mercedes AMG 7.3-liter V12 engine that it carries provides horsepower that is equal to the weight of the CSR in kilograms. With 555 hp, the Zonda can cruise to 100 kilometers per hour from a stationary position in just 11.8 seconds.

Another Porsche made it to the list of the ten fastest cars in the world. This time, the Porsche Carrera GT takes on the sixth place. The Carrera's engine is a huge 5.7-liter V10 engine capable of rocketing up to speeds of a hundred kilometers per hour from a standstill in just 11.6 seconds.

One factor for this vehicle is the fact that the Carrera is made out of lightweight carbon fiber material which allows the Carrera to accelerate at such a short time span.

The fifth spot went to the McLaren F1 LM. This car is one of the most unique in the world of sports car. McLaren built only five of these fast cars in honor of the five McLaren F1 GTR's that won the famous Le Mans in 1995. The car created to become the fastest although it only landed in the fifth spot but its time of 11.5 seconds from a standstill to a full 100 kilometers per hour is truly amazing.

Its engine, a BMW gold-plated V12 engine, can provide a whooping 627 horsepower with a maximum speed of 240 miles per hour.

The fourth place is occupied by the Ferrari Enzo. The Enzo is the fastest Ferrari of all time and it is only fitting that it should be named after the founder of the world-famous Italian car manufacturer. The Enzo timed in at 10.9 seconds after the acceleration test. The uniqueness of the Enzo is made possible by the fact that there are only 399 Enzos produced in its entire history.

The third fastest car in the world is probably the most unusual in the list. The Ariel Atom, which is made by the Ariel Motor Company based in Somerset, England, combines the chassis and the body of the car. In fact, the chassis of the Atom is its body. The Atom weighs less than the CSR at 456 kilograms and its Honda Civic Type-R engine is aided by a turbocharger to produce 300 horsepower propels it to 100 kilometer per hour from a standstill in just 10.88 seconds.

Coming in at a close second is the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. This is sports car differs than most of its contemporary due to the fact that its interior speaks of luxury, not only of performance. Sports cars usually have limited features but the Veyron provides good comfort for two occupants. Weighing in at almost two tons, the Veyron is the heaviest of the cars in the list.

With its W16 engine or 2 V8s mated in a "W" position capable of producing 1001 horsepower, the Veyron completed the 0-100-0 test in just 9.9 seconds. That amount of power will surely test brake pads such as EBC brake pads to their limit.

Rocketing to the first place and claiming the title as the fastest car in the world is the Ultima GTR. The GTR is the handiwork of Ultima Sports Ltd based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England. It completed the 0-100-0 acceleration test in just 9.4 seconds beating the Veyron by just five tenths of a second making it faster than the Veyron.

Is BMW Going To Buy Volvo?

Is BMW Going To Buy Volvo?

by Glady Reign

Earlier this year, the auto industry saw the luxury brand Aston Martin being sold by its owner, the Ford Motor Company. The sale took place as Ford is seeking funding for its turn around plan. The past years have been tough for the Dearborn, Michigan-based car manufacturer as they incurred their biggest loss in their storied history.

After the sale of Aston Martin to a consortium of buyers led by David Richards of Team Prodrive, there were talks about whether Ford will sell another brand that it owns under the Premiere Automotive Group. While there were talks then that the Jaguar may be the next brand to be put on the auction block, Ford declined to comment. Recently though, a part of Ford's Premier Automotive Group (PAG) is being reported to be taken over by German car company BMW.

Word has it in the auto industry that BMW is interested in buying the biggest brand under the PAG - Volvo. The Swedish brand may be suffering from reduced sales in the United States but it is still one of the most valuable brands that Ford owns. Talks about the possible takeover of BMW at Volvo came after BMW is reported to have requested for a complete breakdown of Volvo's financial status from a European bank. The said inquiry has raised the issue that BMW may be interested in purchasing Volvo from the struggling company. Experts in the industry agreed that BMW may be looking to expand their offering to consumers.

Another reason for BMW's interest in Volvo is the reported plan to further expand the MINI brand by sharing Volvo's platform with the small cars of the MINI brand.

Some industry insiders are reported to have said that Volvo will be a welcome addition to BMW's portfolio. The reputation of Volvo being a producer of safe cars as well as for producing vehicles with reliable parts such as Volvo motor mounts, suspension assembly, steering systems, and the likes will surely complement BMW's image of being a producer of cars built for driving pleasure. Both brands are also known for their concern for the environment and the two brands making developments together is seen as one of the reasons for BMW's rumored interest on Volvo. Although the auto industry is filled with these talks, Ford, Volvo and BMW have yet to make a comment on the issue.

This silence from the camps concerned has led to speculations among industry trend followers. It is predicted that if indeed BMW will acquire Volvo from Ford, the Swedish brand's larger vehicles will be delegated to BMW to share platforms with. On the other hand, smaller Volvo vehicles will be sharing platforms with the MINI brand which BMW has so far successfully revived. As Volvo's larger vehicles are merged with BMW's, these vehicles will be introduced to the market with either a rear-wheel or a four-wheel drive configuration. For smaller vehicles, they are believed to continue using the front-wheel drive configuration.

While these are merely speculations, they have a ring of practicality in them. If indeed Volvo is sold to BMW, Ford will have an additional short-term financial boost while BMW will have a strong brand under its portfolio.

To this issue, online consumers affirmed that they could not see for selling Volvo to BMW. One point raised is the fact that Volvo has been helping Ford and Ford has been helping Volvo since the car maker from Dearborn has acquired the Swedish company. Some consumers pointed out that selling Volvo will not make sense for Ford since even if Volvo is posting reduced sale in the United States, the brand is turning a profit globally. It was also pointed out that Jaguar may be the one that Ford needs to sell although at the brand's state right now, it is hard to find a company willing to purchase a dying brand. No matter what BMW has in mind for requesting Volvo's financial status, the rest of the world needs only to wait since a sale such as this (if ever) will be hard to conceal from the rest of the industry.

2008 FORD ESCAPE: Hitting Online Market Like A Storm

2008 FORD ESCAPE: Hitting Online Market Like A Storm

by Mike Bartley

Like experts are saying, the best form of promotion is viral marketing. The latter employs effective marketing techniques using pre-existing social networks to generate exponential growth in brand awareness. And viral marketing is currently the latest ace of the 2008 Ford Escape.

What do online purchasers say about the new Escape? "A winner all the way around!" One enthusiast quipped: "It is great to be sitting at a light with no engine noise or vibration, allowing you to listen to the great sound system." Another one uttered, "The build quality is flawless." An aficionado noted, "Do yourself a favor and give one a drive."

Doing the Ford Escape a great favor Indeed, viral marketing is doing Ford a great favor. With an overwhelming response from online purchasers, and consumers spreading the positive news all over the Net, there is nothing more Ford could ask for but linger in euphoria.

Viral promotion may take different forms like interactive Flash games, hilarious video clips, advergames, images, or even SMS text messages. But Ford's promotion form performs like an Airaid. auto part using 'word of mouth' commendation from jubilant consumers.

In the eighth installment in a series highlighting online consumer reviews of Ford Motor Company's new products, verbatim comments on the 2008 Ford Escape were posted on Yahoo! Autos (www.autos.yahoo.com) and Edmunds (www.edmunds.com). Earlier, the Yahoo! homepage (www.yahoo.com) featured a 2008 Ford Escape advertising "takeover" resulting in more than 500,000 "click-throughs" to the Escape launch Web site - www.boredomhurts.com. This initiative has been one of Ford's most successful ever in terms of winning over customers.

According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 New Autoshopper.com Study SM, 77 percent of new vehicle buyers consult independent online resources during their search for a new vehicle.

What they say... A feedback from Keith of Baton Rouge was posted at Yahoo! Autos. Keith has this to say about the vehicle: "I just recently test drove the new Escape, and I think it is much better than the model it replaces. First, the styling is much improved. It has more definition, more character. The seating position is first rate, and all of the controls are easy to find and use. It rides firmly, yet comfortably, and the handling is much improved over the old model. The V-6 ought to be standard equipment on all models; the trade-off between power and economy is very good. What's more, the price is right, and everything suggests that the Escape will be a great value for the money. The new Escape is now at the top of my new-car shopping list, and I hope Ford can improve all its models the way they improved this one."

Richard, also an online purchaser, said "This is the first new Ford I purchased in 29 years. I traded in a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. In fact the last five new SUVs I purchased were Jeep Grand Cherokees. After two years of driving the 2005 Jeep I had enough of the poor service and lack of concern by Jeep."

He added, "I was hesitant to purchase and did quite a bit of research before doing so and glad I did. The Escape Hybrid is fun to drive, has better visibility, and the gas mileage is twice that of the Jeep! We did drive the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the bottom line was about the same but I am tall enough that when getting in and out of the Toyota I scraped my head. This is not the case with the Ford. Also, GM has nothing to offer in hybrids." The testimony was posted at Edmunds.com.

How impressive could Escape get? Clay from Vallejo, Calif. said, "Hats off to the '08 Escape Hybrid! I had an '06 Escape Hybrid 4WD (not loaded) and for $1,500 more I now have a loaded '08 Escape Hybrid 4WD. The reason is starting with the '07 hybrids, Ford lowered the price. The exterior has a new aggressive look and even makes it appear larger. The new interior design is a plus. I noticed that the cabin is quieter and feels more solid on the road than my '06. The new EPA sticker shows a more 'real world' estimate because right off I was doing 29 mpg and over on the first tank. It comes standard with dual climate, which is great because my wife is always colder, and an auxiliary jack for the iPod/MP3 addicts, two 12V power points for front and rear users, auto on/off headlamps and tire pressure sensors. The center stack has totally improved: larger touch screen GPS, six CD/MP3 in-dash instead of the changer under the passenger seat, and a high mount info screen (time, date, exterior and interior temperature, bearing)."

"The console is VERY sly! It can hide a 14-inch laptop and power it as well, thanks to the 110V plug right there in the front of the shifter. The center console attachments can be configured in a number of ways for convenience. It's one of those things you have to see for yourself! This hybrid is one to consider over the pricier Toyota and Lexus," Clay stressed.

Dramatic changes "We have a XLT 4WD and what a dramatic difference from the older versions...especially the interior...thank goodness. This new version is so much better in my opinion. Dramatically quieter and more comfortable and the prices are actually lower than last year's model. We have some very steep hills in our area with gravel roads. The all wheel drive handles them with ease without any loss of traction. The transmission does all the braking on the way downhill with little effort, saving my brakes the wear and tear. Love this CUV!" said Rob to Edmunds.com.

Yahoo! Autos posted Yogidog's comment. He said, "I first test drove the Limited V-6 today and plan to buy one. Initial impression is that the overall look is well sculpted and smartly organized, with a sexy black leather interior. Ride is quiet, although a little rough on bad roads. I don't particularly like a mushy ride, so the feel of the road appeals to me. Seats are comfortable and will serve well on a long ride, as will the Audiophile speaker sound system, tuned to SIRIUS. Quality of interior is immediately noticeable. The only down side is the pebble grain dashboard and need to remove headrests from back seats in order to lay seats flat, although a compartment for storing headrests is provided. Chrome front grille looks a little cheesy. My preference is for a solid color grille. Clean and simple. List of safety features and new extended 60,000 mile warranty is impressive and should coax many buyers that it's time to come back to Ford. Bottom line ... it looks good and is fun to drive. Sold."

What about the taxes? Frank from San Diego said, "After buying this SUV, I got all the money back I paid in federal taxes for the entire year. It is the best hybrid on the road and is great for off-roading. I have the four wheel drive model and I use it every weekend. I have 20,000 very trouble free miles on it in only 4 months. This is the best SUV Ford has ever made and there is NO comparison to the Toyota Highlander. This wins hands down!" His comment was posted at Yahoo! Autos.

Honda unveiled its Honda FCX

Honda unveiled its Honda FCX

by Evander Klum

Honda Motor Co. has finally unveiled its next-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle last Thursday with the announcement that it would begin producing a small number of vehicles that will be marketed in Japan and United States.

The new Honda FCX is made more sporty and sleeker as compared to the current version that has a top speed of 100 mph. It also has a longer range from 210 miles to 270 miles and of course a fuel cell power system that is 400 pounds lighter. Its auto parts such as air induction and others were also modified to function on hydrogen fuel.

The introduction of the FCX was right on timing since there is a growing concern for the greenhouse gas emissions not to mention the calls in Congress to dramatically raise fuel economy standards to minimize exhaust emissions.

Hydrogen vehicles provide lower net carbon dioxide emissions. Plus it can help end US dependency on foreign oil. Sadly this is easier said than done. The expenses that comes with building hydrogen fuel cells not to mention the absence of hydrogen fueling stations around the country creates a major obstruction for the fulfillment of this goal.

But thanks to companies like Honda which is at present is looking at an experimental home energy station that is making use of natural gas supplied to most homes to produce hydrogen fuel, hot water, heat, and electricity. According to Ben Knight, Honda's vice president for research in the Americas, the best thing about hydrogen is that it can be extracted from a broad range of sources that includes methane or natural gas, bio-mass and renewable sources like solar or wind.

He further added that the next generation FCX is a "quantum leap forward". The FCX will also be given a much higher price tag at least $500 more totaling to only a fraction of the approximate $1.5 million production cost of each Hydrogen fuel celled Honda.

Honda has already sold 30 units of their eco-friendly car worldwide. Mr. Knight also said that the production of the FCX model would eventually surpass the current fleet. Just to give customers a taste of what the FCX has to offer Honda has leased one to a family in California two years ago and last March another FCX was leased to a 17-year-old actress and environmental activist Q'orianka Kilcher. Honda has also allowed journalists to test drive two of its FCX. In addition government officials including top White House environmental adviser James COnnaughton were also invited to test drive Honda's FCX.

The FCX when accelerating gives off a sound similar to a jet engine rather than a conventional gasoline engine. It is also has superior acceleration as compared to the current model that has a top speed of only 100 mph. Honda has also assured that the production vehicle will be similar to the concept showed last Thursday complete with the upgraded bumpers and revised interior.

Honda is not the only automaker that is conducting research on hydrogen vehicles; most major carmakers have spent billions on research alone. China is also investing heavily in hydrogen and if everything goes well for them they may even become the first country to adopt hydrogen vehicles in large volume.

It can be remembered that General Motors has said that it would introduce the world's largest fleet of hydrogen-powered Chevrolte Equinox SUVs by means of its "Project Driveway" program in New York, Washington, DC, and California. And next week GM has scheduled a tour to take journalists on a 300-mile drive from its labs in Honeoye Falls, N.Y. to Tarrytown, N.Y., to update them on the progress of its hydrogen research. GM is hoping to build a 1000 vehicle fleet between 2010 and 2012.

Ford Motor Co. is also working on its plug-in electric hydrogen-powered vehicle with a range of 225 miles which will be called HySEries Edge. In addition Ford will have a fleet of hydrogen powered E-450 shuttle buses aside from hydrogen vehicles. DaimlerChrysler for its part will also be producing 100 hydrogen fuel cells to be distributed worldwide and that includes the 25 units destined for California. BMW will also be producing its own 100 Hydrogen 7 vehicles and plans to be leasing them next year.

McGuire Chevrolet Accepts Orders For All-Wheel Drive CTS

McGuire Chevrolet Accepts Orders For All-Wheel Drive CTS

by Anthony Fontanelle

Because of the anticipated strong demand for the premium 2008 Cadillac CTS, McGuire Chevrolet Cadillac is now accepting advance orders. The vehicle will be available this fall.

"The redesigned all-wheel drive 2008 Cadillac CTS is the answer to many of our customers' wishes," noted Mike McGuire, the President of McGuire Chevrolet Cadillac in Newton. "With winters such as they are here in Sussex County, our Cadillac CTS customers have been wanting the all-wheel drive feature," he anticipates.

The 2008 CTS will go into production this summer with a late August or early September release in order to closely compete with Mercedes-Benz' all new 2008 C-Class. The C-Class, according to Cadillac dealers on the east coast, will be released around the same time frame. McGuire Chevrolet Cadillac invites interested customers to stop in at the dealership, which is adjacent to the square in downtown Newton, to discover more about the latest car.

In an interview April last year, Bob Lutz disclosed part of a prototype Cadillac which was later on revealed to spectators. The car appeared to take design cues from the Cadillac Sixteen concept that was unveiled in 2003. Prototype models caught testing at the Nürburgring in Germany also got several design features from the unmasked car showcased last month. Spy shots from the Nürburgring prototypes also reflected a manual transmission. The CTS will also offer an all-wheel drive option.

At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) this year, GM introduced the all-new CTS that will be offered as a 2008 model. The base model will be equipped with a 3.6-liter variable valve timing V6 that produces 258 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. A second version will be offered with a new 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 VVT engine with approximately 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque using regular unleaded gas. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard on all models. The six-speed Hydra-matic 6L50 automatic transmission will be optional. The on-demand all-wheel drive will be offered with both engines when equipped with an automatic transmission.

The new Cadillac CTS is made longer and wider, measuring 191.6 inches long, 72.5 inches (1841 mm) wide and 58 inches in height. It is also given a wider front or rear track of 61.8 and 62.0 inches respectively. Like its predecessor, the 2008 CTS is offered with rear- or, new for 2008, all-wheel-drive. Some braking, suspension and steering enhancements from last year's CTS-V have been added to the standard CTS.

The all-new Cadillac CTS is equipped with nine-spoke, 18-inch wheels surrounded with larger high-performance brake calipers, rotors, and side air extractors on the front doors. Optional features include iPod integration, swiveling headlights, the Bose premium audio, and a remote start system. Though the car is not equipped with the Chevrolet pickup flex fan, the performance and the drivability of the car is said to be outstanding.

According to a recent issue of Motor Trend, a coupe and station wagon version of the CTS may be produced and sold in the United States, although GM feels that they may be more successful in Europe. Also, an American model of a Cadillac which would be based on the upcoming Saturn Astra may invade the territory in a sedan or four-door hatch form.

Separately, McGuire Chevrolet Cadillac also has agreed to supply 2007 Chevy HHRs to the "hole-in-one" competition at three upcoming charitable golf outings this season. Players at the Irene & Eric Simon Brain Research Foundation Golf Outing are the first to vie for the 2007 compact crossover SUV. The event is scheduled to happen on May 14 at the Lake Mohawk Golf Club.

On May 22, players at Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children will complete against golfers from around the state at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township, with the HHR as the top prize. "We've never had a golfer win a vehicle yet and we're hoping this will be the year," noted Mike McGuire, the President of the downtown Newton dealers.

McGuire Chevrolet Cadillac supports numerous Sussex County charitable events including golf outings to blood drives as well as coat, grocery and book drives or collections annually. Supporters of the Sussex County YMCA will also try their luck at winning the retro SUV, that is based from the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban, at the Sussex County YMCA's Golf Outing. This is scheduled on May 16 at the Ballyowen Golf Course, Vernon.

BMW Motorrad's Neck Brace System To Boost Road Safety

BMW Motorrad's Neck Brace System To Boost Road Safety

by Anthony Fontanelle

The German automaker BMW has worked with African Physician Chris Leatt to produce a device to reduce the risk of neck and spinal cord injuries for motorcycle riders.

The Neck Brace System of the German automaker is made from a mix of Kevlar, carbon fibre and fibre-glass which is a good combination that could deliver supreme strength. The system also is comfortable to wear. This is because a soft, gentle and impact-absorbing foam layer that is placed between the hardened outer casing and the rider. To easily slip the Neck Brace System around the neck, like a collar, two rapid action fasteners are fixed at its side. These fasteners allow for simple handling and easy adjustment.

The Neck Brace System was developed by BMW Motorrad in partnership with South African physician Leatt and his team of accident researchers, bio-mechanics and surgeons. It provides protection by offering a restraining effect if the rider's head moves greatly forwards, backwards, or to the sides. The rider is also given able to retain freedom of movement needed for riding, with any risk of over-stretching of the neck, in any given direction, significantly reduced. Injuries arising from forces coming down from the helmet to the spine are absorbed by the corrugated edging that surrounds the BMW Motorrad's system. In essence, the innovative system is engineered to provide optimum protection for the spine during an accident.

Conrad Parker, the National Aftersales Manager of BMW Motorrad, said: "The BMW Neck Brace System is a revolutionary move in terms of motorcycling safety, and is the biggest step forward for rider safety equipment since the introduction of body-armour, the back protector and full-face helmets." He added, "The launch of this system reinforces BMW Motorrad's goal to make motorcycling as safe as possible by incorporating new technology in the Rider Equipment range. I am in no doubt that riders the world over will put safety first and welcome the benefits this protective equipment offers."

BMW, an independent German company and manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, is the parent company of Rolls-Royce and MINI car brands. The company also was the owner of Rover. It stands by the slogan "The Ultimate Driving Machine."

The German automaker has always had a tight and loyal community following. This is because of its etched philosophy for quality. Auto parts like the BMW antenna, radiators, engines, and other auto equipment are carefully designed and assembled to ensure durability and performance. The automaker is one of the few that support product lines to their limits thus providing 'spirited driving' in certain operation manuals.

In the summer of 2001, the company even went further by starting the BMW Films website and offering some sporty models being driven to extremes. These videos became very famous within the enthusiast community and have illuminated a lot of auto owners searching for a sporty or fun car. However, despite the overwhelming success, BMW Films were taken offline on October 21, 2005.

At present, the German automaker is concentrating on producing product lines that are sure to catch the attention of the aficionados. The company is also absorbed in formulating new innovations to further enhance road safety and limit injuries relating to road accidents.

Car Donation To Charity Rules Have Changed!

Car Donation To Charity Rules Have Changed!

by Sam Ness

A change in the last years made car donation charity less attractive for taxpayers, and delivered mixed results for charities that take cars. Some are reporting little or no change in the number or value of charitable auto donations for a tax deduction. Others say the changes have hurt their fundraising efforts. In one case the car donation charity that usually gets more than $12 million per year from the sales, saw the figure dropped to less than $7 million. As it stands now, the deduction a taxpayer can claim for car donation charity is limited to the amount for which the car sells at auction.

When donating to charity, taxpayers can deduct what they are able to document as the car's fair market value. Because cars often sell for much less at auction than owners think they're worth, deductions will be much less and the charity must notify the taxpayer of the amount the car sold for before a deduction can be realized, unless the car is worth less than $500. An exception is if your giving is to a car donation charity that is going to use the car and not sell it. Then you can deduct the fair market value for the charitable auto donations. Car donation charity feared lower deductions would scare people away. Some charities and firms that auction cars for charity think that the lower tax deduction won't hurt donations and charity fundraising. That's because most of the people who donate to charity don't itemize, so they can't take a deduction anyway.

Most people are participating in car donations to charity because of convenience. They don't want to have to spend money to get the car in shape, to sell it. It is simple to participate at charitable auto donations! People like you and I, donate their cars to charity, and increase its funds, thus making a profound change in the overall standard of living of the neighborhood, and the nation. Your vehicle donation helps support a charity of your choice in their vital work. Theoretically, every charity may choose from a number of fundraising activities, including car donations, for financial support. Because of the substantial unit values, receiving car donations, and selling them for profit, is one of the favorite funds gathering models. How a charity operates a car donation program may have tax consequences. The program can affect the charity's exempt status; and impact the tax-deductibility of the donor's contribution. If any charity operates a car donation program in a manner that confers improper benefits on private parties, the charity's exemption may be adversely affected. If the charity loses its exemption, its income is subject to tax, and it must file the appropriate federal income tax return. However, if the tax laws are adhered to, the program should not negatively impact on the charity's tax-exempt status. Donors may deduct their contributions (if all legal requirements are met).

The car donation charity may hire a private, for-profit entity as an agent to operate its car donation program. Both of them must establish an agency relationship that is valid under the applicable state law. Generally, an agency relationship will be established where the parties agree that the for-profit entity will act on the charity's behalf and that the for-profit entity's activities covered by the agreement are subject to the charity's audit. Accordingly, the charity should actively monitor program operations and have the right to review all contracts, establish rules of conduct, choose program operators, pre-approve all advertising materials, and examine the program's financial records. Although it seems quite strict, the idea is to prevent any wasteful actions on part of the operator, that have the potential to reduce the net profits available for the charitable causes, and thus limit your impact, as a donor, on the beneficial work of your chosen nonprofit organization.

Auto Loans - Make Wise Decisions

Auto Loans - Make Wise Decisions

by Alexander Anderson

Nowadays, in terms of huge variety of vehicle manufacturing companies throughout the world, there is no need to purchase an old car, even if your family budget is not far above the average. How can that be? No matter which bank you choose to apply to, you will find options of purchasing the new car or a good second hand one.

If you choose to buy a car from an individual person, please do so. Bank will pay for you! Even more, you do not even have to trouble yourself searching the dealers, as almost all banks have a wide list of dealer contacts advertised on their websites. Once you choose the new car you want, the loan calculation can be done directly on the website and all you need is to have 25% of the overall amount you intend to spend on your car, a minimum required salary, visit the bank, fill out the form and enjoy your purchase. The duration of loans differs and subsequently the percentage you have to pay differs also. Despite the fact that you actually pay more for the car, you still have a chance to buy something you would be unable to with your salary or it would require years of savings.

Say you want to buy a car for 10 000 USD and the preferable loan duration is 72 months. Then the loan bank will give you is 7 500 USD, you have to cover 25000 USD plus one year insurance in the amount of 450 USD so the initial expenses will be around 2950 and monthly payable amount will be 171.06 USD. In total you have to pay 14816 USD for your vehicle instead of 10 000 USD that is excluding the insurance which makes you car 48% more expensive. Though your monthly expenditure will be only 172 USD. This calculation is made for the maximum period and the less the loan duration is the less over-spent you will have. If you buy the car for the same price, but your preferable loan duration is 24 months, then your monthly payable amount is around 374 USD but the car will be only 15% above its actual price. This is only one example, however the calculations may more or less vary in specific bank you choose and even more, if you are the Bank's Client you may even enjoy some privileges.

Finally, it is said that the car is part of a family and choosing the perfect one is as important as choosing a family member.

The Ten Priciest Cars Today

The Ten Priciest Cars Today

by Anthony Fontanelle

For most car buyers looking for the perfect car, their wish to get that vehicle that they are eyeing is often compromised by the lack of funds. It is, of course, hard to choose between paying for a house and buying a new car. While this predicament has been experienced by most car buyers, we are always dreaming to own that one perfect car that would have been ours if not for the price.

Most car manufacturers produce vehicles which come with price tags that are within the reach of more people. This means more cars will be bought thus an increased profit is expected. But there are those who cater to the automobile needs of the rich and the privileged. Car companies like Ferrari, Porsche and Bugatti produces cars that will never be within the reach of the common car buyer. Nevertheless, as we daydream about our perfect car, it is necessary that we know their price just so that we can dream realistically on how much money we will have to spend on, say, a Bugatti Veyron.

The Bugatti Veyron is currently the priciest production car and also holds the distinction of being the fastest production car in the world. The sleek and power packed Veyron is estimated to have a price tag in the range of $ 1,700,000. That much money can give you the privilege to sit behind the wheel of the most powerful, most expensive and the fastest production and street legal car. And by doing that, you would be able to command the attention of motorists and pedestrians alike.

The Veyron is capable of reaching speeds of 407 kilometers per hour or 253 miles per hour. While most owners of the Veyron may not have the chance to reach that speed, the looks of the Veyron is enough to call the attention of anyone. The car is built by the German car manufacturer Volkswagen AG under the Bugatti brand and is named after race driver Pierre Veyron who won the Le Mans in 1939. The car's engine is a W16 or two V8s strapped together in a W configuration. According to the manufacturer of the Veyron, the final production engine which will be used by the Veyron will be able to produce as much as 1001 horsepower.

The second most expensive car in the world is the iconic Ferrari Enzo which is priced at $1,000,000. The Enzo as it is called is named after the founder of the famous Italian sports car manufacturer. The car came into production in 2003 and became an instant icon. Its body design comes using Formula 1 design cues and this makes the Enzo one of the most recognizable sports cars. Ferrari used carbon fiber materials for the body of this supercar.

The exterior design and material is not the only thing that the Enzo shares with F1 cars but also the sequential shift transmission and the carbon-ceramic brake discs which shadows the efficiency of brake parts available at Active Brakes Direct. The car also uses technologies which F1 cars are not allowed to have. One of this is active aerodynamics which means a dynamic rear spoiler for the Enzo.

The third most expensive car in the world is the Pagani Zonda C12 F that is priced at $741,000. This relatively unknown brand outside performance enthusiasts unveiled the Zonda C12 F at the 2005 Geneva International Auto Show. The car uses a humungous 7.3-liter V12 unit capable of producing as much as 594 horsepower. A special model for the Zonda is equipped with an engine capable of producing 641 horsepower. The car's acceleration is superb needing only 3.2 seconds to reach speed of 60 miles per hour from a standstill. Its top speed is rated at 225 miles per hour or 374 kilometers per hour.

The fourth most expensive car today is the Koenigsegg CCX with a price tag of $600,910. CCX is an abbreviation for Competition Coupe X with the X commemorating the tenth anniversary of the first CC vehicle. The car is built for the United States and is designed to meet the standards for an automobile in the United States. The car derives its power from a 4700 cubic cm double overhead cam 32-valve V8 engine. This powerplant is able to generate as much as 806 horsepower and 687 lb-ft of torque. That much power alone makes the CCX worth all that money. Its sleek styling and aggressive stance instantly commands attention.

The fifth most expensive car today is the legendary Porsche Carrera GT - priced at $484,000. The car comes from the German car manufacturer known for producing some of the most powerful cars in the world. According to some tests, the Carrera GT is the sixth fastest production car today completing the 0-100-0 test in just 11.6 seconds. The 0-100-0 means that the car will start at a stationary position and reach speed of 100 kilometers per hour and has to once again come to a stop. The time it takes for a car to complete the test is one of the basis for naming the world's fastest cars. The Carrera GT is equipped with a 5.7 liter V10 engine that is very much capable of producing 612 horsepower.

The sixth most expensive car today is the Mercedes SLR McLaren with a price tag of $455,000. The car is the fruition of the joint venture of DaimlerChrysler AG and McLaren Cars. The power of this car comes from a supercharged 5.5-liter V8 engine rated to produce 626 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque. While it is dubbed as a supercar, it has the attributes of a Super Grand Tourer which makes it the direct competitor of the Pagani Zonda, Ford GT, Porsche Carrera GT, Aston Martin V12 Vanquish and the Lamborghini Murcielago.

The seventh most expensive car today is the Maybach 62 priced at $385,250. The 62 is one of Maybach's first car models since the brand was revived by DaimlerChrysler. The car is derived from the Mercedes-Benz Maybach concept vehicle that was unveiled ten years ago at the Tokyo Motorshow. The Maybach is re-introduced to the auto market in 2002 as DaimlerChrysler's answer to the Rolls-Royce/Bentley marque.

The 62's sibling is the Maybach 57. The 57 and 62 indicates the difference in the length of the two models. The engine of the 57 and the 62 is a Mercedes 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 engine capable of producing 550 horsepower.

The eighth most expensive car is the Rolls-Royce Phantom with a price of $320,000. The marque is now under the BMW group and the Phantom is first introduced in the market in 2003. The power of the Phantom comes from 6.8-liter 48-valve V12 engine with an output of 453 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. While the car is not as fast as the rest of the most expensive cars today, it exhibits the best in luxury as per its interior.

The ninth most expensive car today is Lamborghini's flagship model Murcielago which comes at $279,900. While its smaller brother, the Gallardo is faster, eth Murcielago is more expensive. It combines the attributes of a super car and a Grand Tourer. This car takes the place of the legendary Diablo in Lamborghini's lineup in 2002. The Murcielago's engine is a 6.5-liter one capable of producing 640 horsepower.

The tenth most expensive car is the Aston Martin Vanquish with a price tag of $255,000 and the reputation of being James Bond's favorite car. The Vanquish made an appearance in the film Die Another Day. The Grand Tourer is first introduced to the market in 2001 and quickly became a favorite among performance car enthusiasts. The power of the Vanquish comes from a 5.-liter 48-valve V12 engine capable of initially producing 460 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. Recent improvements though have added power to the Vanquish's engine raising it to 520 horsepower and 426 lb-ft of torque.

Mercedes-Benz to offer SLR McLaren in 2008

Mercedes-Benz to offer SLR McLaren in 2008

by Thomas Dwyane

German auto maker Mercedes-Benz announced its offer for 2008 the SLR McLaren super sports car.

With trademark quality Mercedes parts like Mercedes car headlights, the vehicle exudes the latest Formula 1 technology from the Vodafone-McLaren-Mercedes racing team. SLR McLarens handling characteristics is provided by the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials that comprises the vehicle. Of course, safety is not a question here, since Mercedes is known for excellent safety features.

Because of its fully retractable top, the SLR McLaren gives excellent open-air driving experience that is suitable for daily use. To achieve a top speed of 207 mph, the car is powered by a supercharged compressor 617-hp AMG V8 engine that measures 5.5-liter.

Since this vehicle has the Formula 1 technology, it can be concluded that it links with the racing cars. The Formula 1 silver arrow visually depicts this link. The style of the 50s lives on with this vehicle due to the lateral louvers, side pipes behind the front wheels and the wide-opening gull wing doors.

The SLR is fully designed to yield top performance. It has refined roof material, which is available in three different hues. It does not only assure daily comfortable use. It also promises a high-performance sports car with attributes which were only associated before to closed cars. In fact, you can sill talk to your fellow passenger over 120mph on open-air journeys. And that is because of the aero acoustics.

In less than ten seconds, you will experience opening or closing of the semi-automatic roof. You need to simply unlock the roof from the windshield frame and briefly raise it to open the roof. Then it folds electrically. An aluminum cover is installed into its front area so the roof closes very classy.

The wind tunnel gives excellent levels of handling, aero acoustics and aerodynamic efficiency. The 2008 SLR McLaren also has the aerodynamic concept found on the SLR coupe. This concept includes an airbrake installed into the access lid and a diffuser in the rear bumper. This provides increased down force on the rear axle.

Still part of the Formula 1 technology that are found in the 2008 SLR are high-performance carbon-ceramic brake discs for excellent braking performance, and the unique front-mid-engine design yields optimum weight distribution. The supercharged compressor that is 5.5-liter AMG V8 engine has a 617-hp and a maximum torque of 575 lb.ft. This is matched with an AMG Speed shift R five-speed automatic transmission that propels the vehicle starting from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds.

Mercedes would never destroy its image when it comes to car safety features. Safety is assured in this vehicle by the unique carbon-fiber crash elements, steel-reinforced A-pillars and two fixed roll-over bars. Further included are adaptive airbags, knee and side airbags as well as seat belt tension detectors and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Semi-aniline-leather-upholstered carbon-fiber bucket seats (which can be individually adapted to the driver and front passenger through various seat pads sizes), dual-zone automatic air-conditioning (which is suitable for hot season), a high-quality BOSE premium sound system (for a cool and relaxing ride), and a multifunction sport steering wheel with shift paddles (that adds to the sporty image of the SLR) are the exclusive standard equipment found in the 2008 SLR McLaren.

To be delivered in the US in the fall season this year, the new Mercedes-Benz SLR is manufactured at McLaren's Formula 1 factory in Woking, England.

Honda RA107: Off with the "Elephant Ears"

Honda RA107: Off with the "Elephant Ears"

by Evander Klum

In Barcelona, Spain last week Honda F1 team has tested its new aerodynamic design which was in the form of "elephant ears".

The Honda RA107 which was driven by Christian Klien with its protruding elephant ears on its front nose was following the heels on MacLaren's nose-straddling front wing. Unfortunately it seems like the elephant ears are not really meant for racing, the Honda F1 team has set the slowest time of the day. The team has finally decided not to push through with their new aerodynamic design since it has done nothing to enhance the performance of their car.

According to Jacky Eeckelaert, engineering director, "The main purpose of our test programme this week was to evaluate different aerodynamic configurations which have been developed in order to improve the braking stability of the car. The braking is definitely better now and the lap times have improved and become more consistent, but there is still a long way to go to bring the team back into contention."

Honda, second largest auto seller in Japan and maker of high quality accord body kit, has been working really hard to correct the problems of the new car since the start of the season especially in terms of the car's handling performance.

According to some reports the team is currently working round the clock to develop a new car which would be launch hopefully next month in time for the Canadian Grand Prix.

Although the test didn't go well for the Honda team it proceeded remarkably for some teams like for instance David Coulthard and Red Bull Racing has been able to grab some attention by posting a new track record with a time of 1:21.066. The quick lap happens during the qualifying simulation wherein the RB3 was running on a minimal amount of fuel just before it hit the circuit.

Pedro de la Rosa of the McLaren's was 2-10ths back as he tries to test the new front wing of the team's car which would make its debut at the Spanish Grand Prix in two weeks time. Felipe Massa of the Ferrari team was able to finish with the third fastest time despite a mechanical failure that has interrupted his drive in the morning. And as expected of Ferraris they have finished the week recording the fastest time, three out of the four testing days.

Giancarlo Fisichella, the driver for Renault was the fourth quickest with Robert Kubica completing the top five. The driver for Toyota, Ralf Schumacher finishes as the sixth fastest.

About Honda Honda Motor Co., Ltd. or Honda for short is a Japanese engineering and engine manufacturer corporation. It is renowned for its automobiles and motorcycles. It has also surpassed Nissan as the second largest distributor of autos in Japan.

Honda also manufactures other products that include trucks, robots, scooters, jet engines, and jets, ATV, electric generators, water craft, lawn and garden equipment, marine engines, as well as aeronautical and other various mobile technologies. The high-end line of cars of Honda is sold under the Acura brand for China and North America. And just recently the company has ventured into the domain of mountain bikes and they have produced the first-of-its-kind bike that makes use of an internal gear changing system in the Honda RN-01 G-cross.

In addition, Honda is also the world's largest producer of engines, building more than 14 million internal combustion engines each year. It was in the year 2004 when Honda started producing diesel motors that were very silent and does not required the addition of particulate filter to pass the emission standards.

Honda has its base in Tokyo. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange and exchanges in Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya, Kyoto, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Fukuoka. Honda has subsidiaries in California and Canada plus it also forms a number of joint ventures around the world which include Honda Siel Cars India Ltd., Dongfeng Honda Automobile Company in China, Hero Honda Motorcycles India Ltd., and Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan.

Online Consumers Praised 2008 Ford Escape

Online Consumers Praised 2008 Ford Escape

by Lauren Woods

The struggling Ford Motor Company may have reason to hope for a better future if one should look at the response that the 2008 Ford Escape has received from online consumers. The Escape is set to be released for the 2008 model year with a lot of improvements to cope with the improvements made to its direct competition which includes the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and the Jeep Patriot.

The said redesign has already been made available for consumers and the reaction to the newest version of the Ford Escape has been overwhelming. The reaction of online consumers to the 2008 Ford Escape is strengthened by the result of the studies conducted by the J.D. Power and Associates which says that 77 percent of new vehicle purchasers consult online sources of auto information before proceeding to buy a vehicle.

In terms of the 2008 Ford Escape's performance as compared to the current model, consumers agree that the redesign offers much more than its predecessor. For instance, Keith from Baton Rogue posted to Yahoo! Autos his appreciation of the new Escape saying: "I just recently test drove the new Escape, and I think it is much better than the model it replaces. First, the styling is much improved. It has more definition, more character. The seating position is first rate, and all of the controls are easy to find and use. It rides firmly, yet comfortably, and the handling is much improved over the old model. The V-6 ought to be standard equipment on all models; the trade-off between power and economy is very good. What's more, the price is right, and everything suggests that the Escape will be a great value for the money. The new Escape is now at the top of my new-car shopping list, and I hope Ford can improve all its models the way they improved this one." The power referred by the consumer can further be enhanced with the use of aftermarket parts such as the Ford Racing cold air intake system.

Another satisfied customer expressed his positive response to the 2008 Ford Escape after buying one. Rick from Los Angeles posted at Yahoo! Autos his reaction to the performance of the Escape saying: "Just bought the 2008 Limited, Black Pearl Slate Metallic with the charcoal interior and all the bells and whistles except for the navigation system. This is my third Escape after a 2001 and a 2005. The '05 was only two years old so I really didn't need this but I wanted it and so now it's in my garage. So far it is miles above the last generation (which was pretty good) in terms of comfort, ride quality, performance and ergonomics. The new interior is a home run and the new 'butched up' exterior, which I wasn't wild about at first, has grown on me and looks much better in person than in photographs. If you can swing it, get the Audiophile speaker sound system - totally worth the extra bucks. A winner all the way around."

The hybrid version of the 2008 Ford Escape is also well received by car buyers. Jeff from Cary, North Carolina has this to say about his new Escape Hybrid: "First hybrid vehicle for our family. We have had Ford trucks in the past and this one has the same rugged feel to it. Hybrid drive system seems to be transparent to driver unless you are paying close attention. It is great to be sitting at a light with no engine noise or vibration, allowing you to listen to the great sound system (with DSP). Acceleration is good and does not feel sluggish at all. If you drive cautiously you can keep the gas engine from turning on up to 30 mph! Regenerative braking works seamlessly, and climate control is very capable. I would highly recommend this truck. I have been averaging 34 mpg back and forth to work in mixed highway/city driving."

These reactions to the 2008 Ford Escape are part of Ford's online promotion of the compact sport utility vehicle. The company has been publishing these reviews on their homepage and is now currently on its eighth installment. The reviews were posted by online consumers on leading online sources of auto information such as Edmunds.com and Yahoo! Autos. While online consumers have been singing the Escape's praises online, its true marketing capability will be announced by the end of this month when auto manufacturers will be posting their monthly sales figures.