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.

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.

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.

Jeep Compass: Tracking Positive New Direction

Jeep Compass: Tracking Positive New Direction

by Lauren Woods

The Chrysler Group's Jeep brand has one good reason to be thankful about the Compass - its new compact crossover. The Compass, which made its public debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January, is now tracking a positive new direction by stealing purchasers from rivals.

The Jeep Compass, according to the automaker, defies expectations and pulls more customers to the brand. The crossover is especially engineered to attract young drivers as well as enthusiasts of other automakers. It may not be featuring the BBK cold air intake and other traditional parts but the crossover boasts its sophisticated equipment and car accessories - more than enough to hold interest and make that interest linger.

Jim Swint, 56, a college professor and a technology consultant from Fremont, Ohio, had a few complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta which he owned. His wife did not feel safe in the sedan when the couple zipped along I-75 amid a multitude of big rig trucks. Also, there was not enough trunk space to house his golf clubs. And when the sedan needed repairs, Swint had to travel 45 miles to the nearest VW dealership. So he swapped the Jetta for a 2007 Jeep Compass.

Yes, somebody traded an import for an American-made model. And not just any American-made model, one that was widely panned when it debuted last year for not hewing close enough to its Jeep roots. But the Compass - a newbie in the brand lineup known for its rock-crawling capabilities - is defying expectations. The car-based model snubbed by hard-core Jeep fans for being too soft is drawing consumers from other brands at a faster pace than the Jeep brand overall, one of the best known marquees in the world.

According to data from the J.D. Power and Associates' Power Information Network, during the first three months of the year, more than 84 percent of Compass buyers traded in a vehicle from another brand as compared to 69.9 percent of those who bought non-Compass Jeeps. Jeep's new Crossover is drawing in Honda enthusiasts at nearly twice the rate of the Jeep brand. Additionally, the crossover is attracting a younger, more feminine crowd that might otherwise give Jeep a pass.

"This is the first crossover that Jeep has offered," said Tom Libby, the senior director of the Power Information Network. "This is what they hoped for and this is what they got - they got new customers."

By far, among Jeep models, the Compass has the youngest buyers on average, said Mark Heber, the senior manager of marketing for Jeep, a unit of DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group. Jeep's data reflected that the average Compass buyer is as young as 39 and skews more female than buyers of its brawnier cousin, the new Jeep Patriot.

J.D. Power sets the average age of Compass purchasers at 42, compared to Jeep's 43, with women accounting for faintly over half of Compass sales, up from 38.6 percent for Jeep overall. "Our information is proving that our decision to build both of the vehicles - the Compass and the Patriot, with the great fuel efficiency, the fun-to-drive capability and making them affordable - was the right decision," Heber said.

In October, Catherine Zamieski of Roseville, 39, exchanged a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica for a Compass. The Compass, which shares the same platform as the Dodge Caliber and the Patriot, looks small from the outside but is spacious enough to seat Zamieski's three children and her boyfriend. "And it's under $20,000," she said.

That is the reaction that Jeep hopes more consumers will have, analysts said. Sales of the Compass and the Dodge Caliber, which are built in Belvidere, Ill., are "better than I expected," because they both "look cool," said Karl Brauer, the editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com, a vehicle shopping Web site. "It's all image and looks."

"One of the reasons why it's doing well and is attracting new buyers is probably because it drives better and has better handling than the Wrangler or Liberty because it's a crossover," said Rebecca Lindland, an auto analyst with Global Insight Inc. "It has a friendly but aggressive stance to it."

Lindland said it is hard to pinpoint what is drawing buyers from other brands to the Compass. "But the brand itself has a certain appeal to it," she said. "When you say Jeep, you don't think of an older person. You think youthful and active lifestyle. Something like the Compass allows people to get into the brand without sacrificing ride and comfort."

Ron Kutz, the general manager at Dallas Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep dealership, said tha tthe vehicle does skew toward more women buyers, as Jeep intended. "It's an added value," he said, "but I don't see a lot of Hondas out here parked for trade-ins. I'll be the first to tell you that in the Sunbelt, it's hard to get anybody out of any import into a Compass."

Frank Ban, a civil litigation attorney in Houston, earlier purchased a Compass for his 24-year-old daughter. "We looked at the Corolla and the Civic," said Ban. "She heard through a friend that this came out and we looked at it and she fell in love. She liked the idea that it was a small SUV." During the test drive, Ban and his daughter agreed the Compass had a better ride. "We don't regret our purchase," he noted.

George Horta III, 32, a self-confessed meticulous auto purchaser, said that he was captivated by the new Compass. For six months, Horta perused Edmunds.com, visited a slew of dealerships and test-drove possible cars like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forrester. "I even got the spreadsheets out," said the Mason, N.H., resident.

Horta, a defense contractor in Tewksbury, Mass. who commutes about 40 miles to his computer security job, was on the search for something with "gusto and more gas mileage." Horta said he wanted good handling and enough room to fit his six-foot, four-inch frame. Although he preferred the CR-V's interior, the Compass won him over because of its four-wheel drive capability, which easily handles the dirt path that leads to his home. "The only complaint I have is there are some blind spots," said Horta, who purchased his leather-seated Compass for $23,000. But for me, it met every single need."

Asian Cars Struggling In Japan

Asian Cars Struggling In Japan by Jenny McLane

Same with the struggle in the American auto market, the Japanese automotive industry is also plagued by sales doldrums. In Japan, sales of cars and trucks fell during the month of April and this is going to be the 22nd month in a row. The decline is pointed to the maturing population and culture changes.

Asian cars, like Detroit automakers, lost another hefty slice of the auto market. Oddly, so did the Asian car manufacturers. The rising fuel prices and the worries about auto economy sapped purchasers' vehicle demand. But the weakness in the sales in the United States is nothing compared with the hardships Asian automakers face in Japan.

In the Japanese fiscal year ending on March 31, sales of cars and trucks, excluding mini cars, decreased to 3.59 million units. In 29 years, the figure is the lowest annual total. The main reasons for the collapse of the Japanese auto market are demographic. Experts said that Japan's population is grayer than most, and it has started to shrink.

The Nissan Motor Co., previously marketing vehicles under the Datsun name, is also affected by the doldrums. "We're pessimistic about the market," said Nissan spokesman Simon Sproule. "People just aren't buying cars."

The Honda Motor Co., a Japanese engine manufacturing and engineering corporation, also is not an exception. Changes in the culture have also lessened auto demand. Japanese now keep their cars longer, and young Japanese are less inclined than their parents were to buy an expensive car to demonstrate that they've "made it," said David Iida, a spokesman for the Honda Motor Co. "There's been a change in the mentality."

In the Japanese territory, Detroit's automakers barely compete. As a fact, General Motors Corp. earlier sold its stakes in Japanese automakers. However, the current plight affects the auto giant directly. Analysts in the industry have this to say: "If the Japanese had better growth prospects at home, they might not be pursuing American customers as doggedly as they are."

The Toyota Motor Corp., the fast rising Japanese multinational corporation, has yet no power to repel sales doldrums. The Japanese automaker has probably invested more in the new Tundra pickup than in any other single vehicle, although the vehicle will be sold only in the North American market.

An analyst added, "Japanese auto giants are also expanding in Latin America and southeast Asia, but they will continue to rely on the U.S. market for the bulk of their profits." In the previous years, North America's auto earnings have accounted for 50 to 60 percent of their total profits. To remedy the deluge in auto sales, Japanese automakers are also competing more aggressively in Europe and this is a trend likely to pile more pressure on GM's and Ford Motor Co.'s European operations.

There is little in the sales numbers to suggest any improvement in the near future in Japan. Car and truck sales decreased 10.2 percent in April to 217,911 units - the second consecutive double-digit monthly dip. Even sales of minivehicles, one of the few profitable segments in the market, plummeted in April for the first time in over a year. Sales of minis, those with engines no larger than 660 cc, dipped at 6.4 percent at 139,779 units.

As the Japanese look to make up sales abroad, the currency is lending a temporary boost. Yen's weakness against the dollar and the euro, by far, is temporarily helping the economy. Deutsche Bank analyst Gaetan Toulemonde estimates that of Japan's four million vehicle exports, 1.7 million are headed to North America and one million to Europe.

The automotive industry is plagued by so many fluctuations. Gas price fluctuations seem to become constant. Auto parts like Monroe shocks do not fall on the exceptions. So are vehicle prices. This is why automakers are doing every clever thing to circumvent the ill-fated occurrences in the industry.

Auto Experts: Beware of Flood-Damaged Autos

Auto Experts: Beware of Flood-Damaged Autos

by Glady Reign

Looking for a new car involves considering different areas, factors, and features of an automobile. Safety, fuel efficiency, and performance are just some of the things car buyers need to consider to ensure that they will be driving a vehicle that suits them perfectly.

Auto experts though has reported that prospective car buyers should also check for water damage on the car they are planning to buy and they do mean flood water to be exact. After the damaging effects of Hurricane Katrina, car experts fear that the auto market in the United States is proliferated by flood-damaged vehicles. With regards to this, they warn car buyers to avoid buying a car which has suffered the wrath of Hurricane Katrina and other smaller floods across the country.

Bryan Gregory, the Director of Consumer Education for Advanced Auto Parts, has this to say about the influx of flood-damaged vehicles in the United States auto market: "Auto industry experts estimate that as many as 400,000 vehicles may have been damaged by Hurricane Katrina alone. Add to that total the number of vehicles caught in countless smaller floods that occur across the country each year and you have a significant flood-damaged vehicle population that consumers need to be on the lookout for."

Staying way from flood-damaged vehicles needs a thorough inspection of the vehicle on the part of the buyer. Although the tell tale signs of flood damaged is relatively hard to spot, auto experts want to arm car buyers with the proper information to spot these damages. "Flood damage can be hard to spot, unless you know what you're looking for. The time to spot a car that's been in a flood is before you purchase it, because once it's in your driveway and the flood-related mechanical problems start to show up, it's too late for most consumers," says Gregory.

These damages may not show themselves yet right after you buy a car but in the long run, these damages will play a major role in the shortening of a vehicle's lifespan. Since all new vehicles released in the U.S. market are equipped with electronic components, these features should be checked properly before buying a car. The vehicle's onboard computer can be permanently damaged by flood water as well as airbag sensors. That alone poses a very high potential risk to consumers.

If an airbag sensor is damaged, when needed, the airbag can no longer protect the occupants of a vehicle, endangering them of severe injuries or even death. Some other electrical components like Volvo window motors can also be damaged by flood water, but these damages can readily be checked unlike the status of an airbag sensor.

One of the most telling signs that a car is flood-damaged is molds in the vehicle or a musty smell. This, of course, is the effect of the prolonged exposure to dirty flood water. New upholstery and carpets can also mean that these are replaced due to the damage of flood water on the original upholstery or carpets. Rust on the interior of a vehicle is also a sign that the vehicle is flood-damaged.

Auto experts also advise car buyers to inspect the air box for mud or water residue. Consumers can do this by simply removing the air filter of a vehicle. Waterlines on the bulb or lenses of headlamps and taillights are also telltale sign that the car was submerged at one time or another under a flood.

Aside from keeping away from flood-damaged vehicles, Gregory also advises car owners to prevent their cars from being victims of a flood. According to Gregory, "In addition to knowing how to avoid buying a flood-damaged vehicle, drivers should also take steps to prevent their own vehicle from becoming a flood victim. The number one action drivers can take to avoid water damage to their vehicle, and possible personal injury or death, is to never, ever attempt to drive through water that is covering a road, no matter how shallow or slow-moving it appears. Also avoid parking in areas prone to flash flooding and close your vehicle's windows when rain threatens."

Mazda wins three best car awards at Thailand car of the year 2007 Awards

Mazda wins three best car awards at Thailand car of the year 2007 Awards

Mazda has won three Best Car awards at the Thailand Car of the Year Awards 2007. The announcement was made during a ceremony held on April 3, 2007, at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in Bangkok. Mazda won awards in three categories.

Mazda3 Sport Sedan won a best car award for the third consecutive year, this year in the Best Sedan Under 1,600cc category. Mazda MX-5 was named Best Roadster for the second year in a row, and with this award the MX-5 has won Best Roadster four times in the last five years. The Mazda BT-50 Pickup Truck won in the Best High-lifted Pickup 2,500cc category.

Now in its ninth year, the Thailand Car of the Year awards have been organized by Grand Prix International Co. Ltd. in cooperation with the Automotive Engineering Association of Thailand, the Car and Motor Reporters Association of Thailand, and the Rachayarnyon Association.