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Who invented the automobile?

2012-01-18T23:54:00.000-08:00

Who invented the world's very first car? This question does not have a straightforward answer. The history of the automobile is very rich and dates back to the 15th century when Leonardo da Vinci was creating designs and models for transport vehicles.

There are many different types of automobiles - steam, electric, and gasoline - as well as countless styles.

The very first car might well have been the invention of a Flemish missionary named Ferdinand Verbiest. Born in Flanders in 1623, Verbiest was an accomplished astronomer who left Europe for China in 1658. He helped to modernize the now outmoded Chinese astronomy using recent European innovations, and he was asked by the emperor to become the director of the newly refurbished Beijing Ancient Observatory. What's more, he spoke at least five languages fluently, wrote thirty books, was a skilled diplomat and mapmaker, and tutored the long-lived Kangxi Emperor in everything from mathematics to poetry. He was, even by the standards of the time, ridiculously accomplished.

But the reason why we're talking about Verbiest here is that he might - emphasis on might - have invented the world's first car. According to Verbiest's own text Astronomia Europea, he built a small, self-propelled vehicle. Steam technology was still in its infancy at the time, but Verbiest was able to build a rudimentary, ball-shaped boiler, which then forced steam towards a turbine that could turn the back wheels. Verbiest says the vehicle was meant to be a toy for the emperor.

Considering this is over 200 years before the construction of what's generally considered the first modern automobile, this is a remarkable achievement, but there are some pretty big caveats here. I said the car was small, and it was: about two feet long, far too tiny for any human to ride in it. It's also not at all clear whether the toy was ever built, or if it purely existed as a design in Verbiest's imagination.

We do know Verbiest's close relationship with the emperor gave him access to the finest metalworkers China had to offer, so it's not impossible that he built the toy. What we can say is this - Verbiest almost certainly designed what was effectively one of the earliest scale models of an automobile. (Although, if we're just talking about designs for cars, then Leonardo da Vinci has Verbiest beat by a good two hundred years. But Leonardo definitely didn't build his, so Verbiest has that on him.)

Eco Cars

2011-12-20T12:43:00.001-08:00

1: Seat Ibiza, 1.4 TDI 80PS Ecomotive, diesel

CO2 (g/km): 99

Price: £11,000

Seat's probably not the first name you think of when it comes to green cars, but this three-door supermini's both cheap to buy and cheap to run.

2: Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion, 1.4 TDI 80PS

CO2: 99

Price: £11,995

This little diesel has all the solid German build quality you'd expect, plus an incredibly economic engine that'll make the man at the garage a distant stranger.

3: Honda Civic Hybrid 1.4 IMA ES

CO2: 109

Price: £16,300

As the cheapest hybrid in the UK, the Honda Civic Hybrid is a good, small family alternative to the Prius -- so long as you can stomach automatic transmission.

4: Renault Megane Sport Hatch 1.5 dCi 86 Expression 3 door

CO2: 117

Price: £13,000

Like Citroen, Renault's one of the unsung French brands which has been doing a huge amount to cut emissions across its range. This small family car is a particularly economic example.

5: Citroen C3 1.6HDi

CO2: 118

Price: £13,000

The Citroen C3 is an efficient, straightforward car with a big boot and not quite enough legroom at the back.

6: Ford Focus ECOnetic 1.6 TDCi

CO2: 115

Price: £15,800

This is a brand new version of Britain's most popular car. It's incredibly fuel-efficient and, if it's similar to the Ford bioethanol Focus we reviewed, will make for a good reliable drive.

7: Renault New Laguna Hatch dCi 110

CO2: 130

Price: £17,100

As it emits 130g of CO2 per kilometre the Laguna is just on the borderline of being a greener option, and it's also on the pricey side. But it has some of the best green creds you'll get for a car of this size.

8: Skoda Fabia Estate1.4 TDI PD 80PS

CO2: 109

Price: £13,100

No more funny jokes about Skodas. This one is big and clever -- not to mention as cheap and green as estate cars come.

9: Peugot 207 SW, 1.6 HDi

CO2: 119-123

Price: £13,900

Another big but green option. According to Autoexpress it's a little dear, but it has everything you could want in an estate.

10: SMART Fortwo Cabrio

CO2: 113

Price: £10,500

With their heavier frames for safety and structure, it's surprising any open-top cars made this list. But we can fully recommend this Smart, since it emits so little CO2 and only costs mite over £10K.

Chevrolet

2011-02-03T18:15:00.000-08:00

In 1911, Chevrolet Motor Company of Michigan is incorporated in November of 1911 by Louis Chevrolet, William Little and Edwin Cambell, William Durant's son-in-law. Headquarters are in Detroit.

On September 13, 1915, Durant incorporates Chevrolet Motor Co. of Delaware. The new corporation includes the original Chevrolet Motor Company and becomes a holding company for auto companies Durant had put together after losing control of GM.

In 1916, Durant announces that Chevrolet owns 54.5 percent of GM's outstanding shares and takes over the GM presidency from Charles W. Nash, who had been GM president from 1912 to 1916.

In 1918, General Motors buys the operating assets of Chevrolet Motor Company in May.

In 1921, GM decides to proceed with commercial application of Kettering's 'copper-cooled' engine, intended to replace the traditional piston engine. The initial target is to put the copper-cooled engine in all of Chevrolet Division's cars. The program is officially ended in 1923, with a total of fewer than 800 copper-cooled engines ever being produced and only 300 sold to dealers, all of which are recalled by GM.

In 1923, GM's first European assembly plant is established in Copenhagen under the name General Motors International A/S. It is to build Chevrolets for sale in Scandinavian countries, the Baltics, and Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary and Russia. The first GM vehicle assembled outside the U.S. and Canada, a Chevrolet utility truck, comes off the Copenhagen assembly line on January 7, 1924.

In 1924, William S. Knudsen becomes president of Chevrolet and joins the GM Board of Directors.

In 1929, Chevrolet introduces its new six-cylinder engine for use in commercial vehicles. This engine is nicknamed 'the cast iron wonder' for its remarkable durability.

In 1935, Chevrolet introduces the Suburban Carryall, a 1/2-ton truck with seating capacity for eight.

In 1950, Chevrolet introduces the Powerglide transmission, becoming the first competitor in the low-price field to offer fully automatic shifting.

In 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette is introduced. It is the first volume production sports car and the first production car with a plastic body to be produced in quantity.

In 1954, Chevrolet introduces small-block V-8 engine on 1955 trucks.

In 1958, Chevrolet introduces the El Camino, designed to combine big car comfort with the utility of a pickup truck, as a 1959 model.

In 1959, Chevrolet introduces the Corvair.

As part of the 1962 model year, Chevrolet introduces a new line of smaller cars, the Chevy II.

In 1962, The U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, charges GM and three Chevrolet dealer trade associations in criminal and civil suits for violation of the Sherman Act by restricting sales of Chevrolets in the Los Angeles area through discount houses. In 1966, the U.S. District Court for Southern California enters the final judgment enjoining GM from conspiring with any group or association of Chevrolet dealers to limit sales by such dealers or through discount houses or referral services.

In 1963, Chevrolet introduces its midsize Malibu as a 1964 model.

In 1966, Chevrolet introduces the F-body Camaro as a 1967 model. The following January, Pontiac introduces the Firebird, its third line of cars, as a 1967 model.

In 1968, Six passenger car and truck assembly plants previously operated by Fisher Body and Chevrolet Motor Division are transferred to the management of GM Assembly Division. Chevrolet is to have additional responsibility of engineering, producing and distributing a new American-built small car.

In 1969, Chevrolet announces that it is discontinuing production of Corvair.

In 1975, Chevrolet introduces the Chevette in October. This U.S.-built T-car was first designed by Opel and is also manufactured by GM subsidiaries in Argentina, Brazil and England and sold under the names Kadett, Chevette, Gemini and K-180.

In 1976, GM introduces its downsized Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac full-size and luxury cars in September.

In 1979, GM introduces newly designed front-wheel-drive compact cars, the Buick Skylark, Chevrolet Citation, Oldsmobile Omega and Pontiac Phoenix X-body models.

In 1981, GM's new worldwide Truck & Bus Group is formed with responsibility for the design, engineering, manufacture, sales and service of all GM trucks, buses and vans in North America and throughout the world. In 1982, the truck manufacturing and assembly operations of GM Assembly Division, Chevrolet Motor Division, and GMC Truck and Coach Division are merged to form Truck & Bus Manufacturing Division. Headquarters for both are to be located in Pontiac, Michigan.

In 1983, GM and Toyota Motor Corporation agree to form a joint venture, New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI), to produce a small Chevrolet automobile in the Fremont, Calif., assembly plant previously operated by GM.

The 1984 Chevrolet Corvette is introduced, with the car's first major styling change in 15 years.

In 1988, Chevrolet introduces its Geo line of small vehicles with Geo Metro, Spectrum and Tracker.

In 1993, Toyota and GM sign an unprecedented supply and sales agreement under which GM will build right-hand drive Chevrolet Cavaliers in the U.S. Toyota will purchase these models from GM and sell them in Japan.

In 2001, The Chevrolet Cruze is launched in Japan. Developed by GM and its alliance partner Suzuki, the Cruze is the first GM vehicle to be built in Japan since the 1930s.

General Motors announces that its Ste. Therese, Quebec plant, which builds the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, will close in September 2002 in conjunction with discontinuation of the Camaro and Firebird models.

In 2002, the Chevrolet Corvette celebrates its fiftieth anniversary.

In 2003, GM announces that the 2005 model year GMC Envoy XL, Envoy XUV and Chevrolet trailblazer EXT will be the first vehicles to showcase its innovative Displacement on Demand fuel-saving technology, which enhances fuel economy without compromising performance or the ability to carry heavy loads. Displacement on Demand is to be a standard feature in the vehicles' optional Vortec 5300 V-8 engine. The technology, which boosts the Vortec engine's fuel efficiency by 8 percent, is also to be introduced in other GM engines in the 2006 model year.

The Chevrolet Corvette celebrates its fiftieth anniversary with a caravan of 5,000 Corvettes driven by owners from each of the 50 states converging at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky.

GM Powertrain introduces its new Ecotec 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which is to be available on the all-new 2005 model year Chevrolet Cobalt. Bringing variable valve timing to the Ecotec engine family for the first time, the Ecotec 2.4-liter engine offers improved low-end torque and fewer emissions than the previous 2.2-liter version.

In 2004, for a record sixth time, Chevrolet Corvette is picked as the official pace car for the classic Indianapolis 500 race.

General Motors delivers the world's first full-size hybrid pickup truck to Miami-Dade County during the tenth National Clean Cities Conference. The hybrid Chevrolet Silverado delivers up to 12 percent fuel economy improvement over comparable pickups, giving it the best highway fuel economy of any full-size truck on the market. Hybrid versions of both the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Silverado pickup are scheduled to go on sale in the fall.

Source: General Motors Corporation

Car Insurance Quotes

2010-12-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

Car insurance is so important and is an absolute must. Every State requires certain coverage and this must be presented when buying your car tags. Although many individuals buy their insurance on a month to month basis and most pay these bills. There are a number of people who do not have the money and after a couple months stop paying and the state will contact them and suspend their license. If they have moved they will never know this until they are at a traffic stop when they will be asked for their insurance card which they have and the police will run their name with the state they are insured in. Bottom line, no insurance, no driving.

The cost is high and if you have an accident it will cost you. In Georgia, the law states if you are unable to show proof of insurance, off to jail you go. The bail amount is small but the arrest will make you think again about trying to get away with driving and no insurance. As the saying goes driving is a privilage and not a right. cheap car insurance for women, will not be much of a difference for most drivers. The problem with cheap, is what you will get, only cheap. If say you live in Arizona, you will likely get out the yellow pages and start calling around to Get a car insurance quote in Arizona.

The computer would be faster since you can pull up several amounts and policies so you can compare a bit easier. Keep in mind if you have homeowner's insurance, you may want to add the car insurance to your policy. Most companies will give a discount with dual insurance coverage. Again, make sure you compare. Keep in mind that it your responsibility to make sure your policy is the proper coverage you need and remember to make your payments on time.

We have no fault insurance and it means that an accident was just that an accident. Without insurance it will be a financial burden. With the economy as it is we can do without many things, but, car insurance is not one of them.

Renault

2010-11-11T15:10:00.000-08:00

The history had started in far 1898 when Louis Renault celebrating his 21st birthday chosed the occasion for the presentation of his new vehicle, Renault type A. The car had 270 ccm engine capacity, 1.75 Hp output and 3-speed gearbox. It could transport two adults by speed up to 50 km/h. Type A was based on De Dion`s quadricycle. They quickly made a name for themselves in motor racing then adopted mass production techniques in 1905 and Taylorism in 1913. During the first world war, the company turned out trucks, stretchers, ambulances, shells and even the famous FT17 tanks that made a decisive contribution to the final victory.

1919-1945
Renault modernized its premises, starting up the first production line at Billancourt in 1929. The firm tried to keep the lid on costs in order to weather the economic crisis. But social conditions deteriorated. Louis considered the second world war and conflict with Germany as a mistake, and he gave in to the demands of the German forces. As a result, Renault was nationalized in 1945, becoming the Régie Nationale des Usines Renault (RNUR).

You can read more useful and fantastic facts about Renault includibg the environment and culture, cinema and technology, you can learn a lot of you favorite car on http://www.renault.co.uk/about/

Consumers Report 2010

2010-10-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

The Union of American Consumers has published its annual report assessing the reliability of the 27 automotive brands. The study has collected data on the exploitation of 1.3 million copies of the car.

It is remarkable that only one Germany 's brand - Porsche is confirmed German quality worthy of trust. And although the top of the list occupied by Japanese brands, some companies from the Land of the Rising Sun exceptional quality, as it turns out, is not peculiar. Mazda and Nissan were among the average. here is the list:

1. Scion
2. Porsche
3. Acura
4. Honda
5. Infiniti
6. Toyota
7. Subaru
8. Volvo
9. Lexus
10. Ford
11. Hyundai
12. Mazda
13. Kia
14. Nissan
15. Lincoln
16. Volkswagen
17. Chevrolet
18. Buick
19. Cadillac
20. Jeep
21. GMC
22. Mercedes-Benz
23. BMW
24. Dodge
25. Mini
26. Audi
27. Chrysler

Auto Express Test Drive The New Mercedes C-Class

2010-10-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

Rebuild a Jeep under 4 minutes

2010-09-11T16:55:00.001-07:00

New Car Buying Tips

2010-08-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

Whether you are looking to buy the latest BMW luxury cars or economical Honda new cars, getting the best deal on your dream car and saving a lot of money on the purchase is a must. There are several new car buying tips you can follow if you really want to save money on buying new cars. In this part, we are going to discuss some of the most prominent tips to use in order to get amazing deals on the car of your dream.

Timing your purchase correctly is definitely a must. You may want to shop when the car dealership is less busy. When the dealership is less busy, salesmen will be more than glad to give you the deal you want because they are eager to make the sale. Simply do a little research before you visit various dealerships so that your visits are timed correctly.

You must also compare prices among dealerships so that you can find the most beneficial deal to use. Don’t simply look at the price of the car offered, because most dealerships also offer additional bonuses and rebates. Compare deals thoroughly and you will have no trouble at all finding the most beneficial deal on your dream car. When purchasing your dream car. Please don't forget about new car insurance either.

If you want to search for the best new car prices conveniently, you may also want to consider using available online tools to help you. There are several online tools that can help you find new car prices from multiple dealers, allowing you to compare the most beneficial deal to use and complete the purchase in no time at all. You will be saving a lot of time and money by using the right online tool to help you.

Now that you know some of the best tips to use, you can easily find the best – most beneficial – deal on any of your dream car and complete the purchase in no time. Make sure you do one last review before finalizing your purchase decision so that you can be certain about the price you are paying for the car and get beneficial deal for sure.

Auto Insurance

2010-08-03T06:31:00.000-07:00

Buying certain Auto insurance you protects yourself against financial loss. Most states require at minimum liability insurance and it's great that today you can find, check out, compare various Auto Insurance online including such popular source as youtube.

All waht you need is to learn offers then to chooce the right one.

Highland Tragedy‎

2010-07-14T10:30:00.000-07:00

Chase Bales, Damian Riddoch, and Mats Malmberg were all killed Saturday night when the plane, piloted by Chase Bales crashed in a wooded area.

They were coming from a business meeting in Pontiac, Mich., and were originally scheduled to land at Jones Riverside Airport. The pilot requested to land at Tulsa International Airport instead, but did not say why, police said.

The pilot said over the radio that the aircraft was low on fuel just before it crashed into a heavily wooded area of the park at about 10 p.m. Saturday, police said.

The trio had just established U.S. Highland Motorcycles, setting up a manufacturing facility in Oklahoma and early tests of the bikes have been receiving high praise.

This is a terrible blow to the company and our sincerest condolences to all of the families of the men and to the entire U.S. Highland community.

Nissan Leaf Characteristics

2010-05-18T03:26:00.000-07:00

i guess you've head and probably seen the world's first electric car designed for affordability and real-world requirements. Yes, this is Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. created Nissan LEAF, the world's first affordable, zero-emission car. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) to satisfy real-world consumer requirements.

Key characteristics of the LEAF include:

1) Zero-emission power train and platform
2) Affordable pricing
3) Distinctive design
4) Real-world range autonomy - 160km (100 miles)
5) Connected Mobility: Advanced intelligent transportation (IT) system

The "LEAF" name is a significant statement about the car itself. Just as leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience. Pricing details will be announced closer to start of sales in late 2010; however, the company expects the car to be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment vehicle. Additionally, Nissan LEAF is expected to qualify for an array of significant local, regional and national tax breaks and incentives in markets around the world. As an added benefit, because the vehicle has less mechanical complexity than a traditional gasoline-powered car, Nissan LEAF is designed to be friendly to the wallet as well as to the environment.

Ferrari 458

2010-05-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

Ferrari F430 looks impressive from any angle as it has a design that has never been seen before on a Ferrari model. The high performance sports car comes complete with a new engine, improved aerodynamics, upgraded handling and improved instrumentation and ergonomics inside the cabin.

Audi A8 L

2010-04-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

Audi unveiled the long wheelbase version of the A8 luxury sedan today at the Beijing Auto Show. Compared to a standard A8, the L version is 130 mm longer. It is built on an aluminum chassis using the Audi Space Frame (ASF) that helps reducing the weight with about 40% comparing to a comparable steel body.

The top version, the Audi A8 L W12 quattro uses a twelve cylinders engine (four rows of three cylinders with a 15-degree included angle between the two offset rows of cylinders in each broad cylinder block) that delivers an impressive 500 hp and 460.98 lb-ft of torque at engine speeds at 3,250 rpm. The result is a sprint from0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, while top speed remains limited to 155 mph.

The L version is distinguished by a single-frame radiator grille with integral grid structure painted in high-gloss black finish and special chromed horizontal bars, chromed inserts of new design in the air inlets, and chromed applications on the exterior mirrors, W12 badges displayed on the single-frame grille and at the rear of the car and the exhaust system with two trapezoidal-pattern tailpipe trims integrated into the rear bumper.

Porsche 918

2010-03-06T17:38:00.000-08:00

The 918 Spyder is one of three Porsche models with hybrid drive making their world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. This trio – made up of Porsche’s new Cayenne S Hybrid SUV with parallel full-hybrid drive, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid racing car with electric drive on the front axle and a flywheel mass battery, and the two-seater high-performance 918 Spyder mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid – clearly demonstrates not only the great bandwidth of this new drive technology, but also the innovative power of Porsche as a genuine pioneer in hybrid drive.

It combines Porsche’s Intelligent Performance technology, high-tech in motorsport, and classic but modern design to make a truly convincing statement.

The Porsche 918 Spyder with plug-in hybrid provides the performance of a thoroughbred super sports car on fuel consumption of just three litres/100 kilometres in the New European Driving Cycle, equal to a CO2 emission rating of 70 g/km.

This open two-seater is powered by a high-speed V8 developing more than 500 bhp and running at maximum speed engine of 9,200 rpm as well as electric motors on the front and rear axle with overall mechanical output of 218 bhp (160 kW).

The V8 combustion engine is a further development of the highly successful 3.4-litre power unit already featured in the RS Spyder racing car and positioned midship in front of the rear axle, giving the car the right set-up for supreme performance on the race track through its good balance.

The energy reservoir is a fluid-cooled lithium-ion battery positioned behind the passenger cell. The big advantage of a plug-in hybrid is that the battery can be charged on the regular electrical network. A further point is that the car’s kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy fed into the battery when applying the brakes, thus providing additional energy for fast and dynamic acceleration.

A button on the steering wheel allows the driver to choose among four different running modes: The E-Drive mode is for running the car under electric power alone, with a range of up to 25 km or 16 miles. In the Hybrid mode the 918 Spyder uses both the electric motors and the combustion engine as a function of driving conditions and requirements, offering a range from particularly fuel-efficient all the way to extra-
powerful.

In the Race Hybrid mode the drive systems are focused on pure performance with the highest standard of driving dynamics on the track, running at the limit to their power and dynamic output. With the battery sufficiently charged, a push-to-pass button feeds in additional electrical power (E-Boost), for example when overtaking or for even better performance.

Detroit 2010

2010-01-17T02:25:00.000-08:00

Jaguar XJ

2009-12-18T16:46:00.000-08:00

Jaguar XJ is sleek, sporting and sophisticated car, that now doubt Jaguar XJ bringing a daring new spirit to automotive luxury. It offers a seductive mix of striking design, breathtaking performance and engineering without compromise.

The new Jaguar XJ is the epitome of fluid, contemporary automotive style. The elongated teardrop shape of the side windows establishes the car's silhouette and lies at the heart of its flowing design. And the new Jaguar XJ doesn't just look streamlined: it shares a drag coefficient of 0.29 with the Jaguar XF saloon, making them the most aerodynamic Jaguars ever.

A coupé profile cloaks a cabin that offers comparable levels of space to saloons with a more conventional style. There is generous accommodation for five occupants, while long-wheelbase models provide rear-seat passengers with even greater levels of comfort thanks to an additional 125mm of rear legroom.

The exquisitely designed interior has a strong sporting character throughout. A panoramic glass roof, standard on all models, dramatically enhances the sense of light and space inside the new Jaguar XJ. And in keeping with its status as the ultimate four-door Jaguar, the XJ introduces a new generation of interior technologies, pioneering the use of display and infotainment systems such as the innovative Virtual Instrument dials and optional 1200W Bowers & Wilkins premium surround sound system.

At the heart of the all-new Jaguar XJ's construction is a next-generation application of Jaguar's unique lightweight vehicle architecture. Primarily aluminium, but also using magnesium and composite alloys, this allows Jaguar to produce a significantly lighter and stiffer body - the lightest in its class. The new structure - which retains the same aerospace-based riveting and bonding processes - has been refined using these advanced materials to deliver improved strength, enhanced refinement and superior safety performance.

Toyota Will Fix More Than 4.3 Million Cars

2009-11-28T13:25:00.000-08:00

Mr. Toyoda in October apologized aleady to the owners of the eight Toyota and Lexus models affected by the floor-mat recall and has previously acknowledged that Toyota has strayed from its core value of focusing on the customer.

"The safety of our owners and the public is our utmost concern," Toyota said in a prepared statement. "Toyota has and will continue to thoroughly investigate and take appropriate measures to address any defect trends that are identified."

Toyota plans to shorten the gas pedal by about 20 millimeters and change the flooring under the accelerator in some models. It also plans to install a new braking system in the affected Toyota Camry and Avalon models, as well as in the Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models, as an "extra measure of confidence."

Toyota declined to provide an estimate of the recall's cost. "We have not put a pencil to it," Toyota spokesman Irv Miller said during a conference call. "We really don't know what the costs are at this moment."

Honda Skydeck Concept

2009-11-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

It seams that this futuristic six-seater car, the Honda Skydeck Concept, represented at the Tokyo Motor Show, can meet a wide range of ages and lifestyles, like a bridge between the extreme-sports crew and the shuffleboard set. Now, the Japanese carmaker have the biggest stand of all the exhibitors and have filled it up with an array of design studies that are brimful of new ideas, albeit eccentric in part. One of the design highlights of the show is bound to be the Honda Skydeck Concept.

This futuristic, airily named family van is clearly a long way removed from being a production-ready vehicle, yet it arouses more than just passing interest. With its windscreen blending into a glass roof, driver and passengers have an impression of unconstrained freedom. The seating too has been designed with leisure in mind. The front doors open upwards and the rear doors slide backwards. In other words, they're doors, Jim, but not as we know them. There is no B-pillar to impede ingress. And if you prefer to sit in the third row, you can push the second bench under the front seat. Under the bonnet, a hybrid PLUS engine provides an eco-friendly drive.

Frankfurt Auto Show

2009-09-19T17:21:00.000-07:00

Frankfurt Auto Show has been opened to public by German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday with a speech defending the government's car scrapping scheme, its decision on Opel's sale and looking to the future of transportation with electric and hybrid cars.

"Electro-mobility, electric and hybrid cars, are very much the window of the future," she said in her opening speech. "But one can't hold their breath for electric cars now."

Merkel said the current estimate is to have about 1 million electric cars on the road by 2020, so "it would really take another generation of car buyers" before the trend is widespread in Germany.

Earlier this year, Merkel's government backed a series of financial incentives for electric cars that is to start in 2012.

Merkel defended the government's stance on German carmaker Opel, in which Canadian car parts maker Magna International Inc. and Russian lender Sperbank will take over a 55 percent stake -- a solution the government had long lobbied for.

The government -- which is providing some euro6 billion (nearly $9 billion) in bridge financing and loan guarantees to the new company -- was criticized for not considering other bidders.

The U.S. federal government also provided large amounts of capital to the former Opel parent General Motors Co., which will retain a stake in Opel.

"We thought it was important to give this company another chance," she said.

Merkel also said Germany's car scrapping bonus had done a lot to help the German economy in the difficult times over the last year.

She said 2 million Germans had taken advantage of the program in which they received euro2,500 toward a new car from the government if they traded in a car that was at least nine years old. The government allotted euro5 billion to the program and funding ran out earlier this month. There are no plans to renew it.

"We believe this bonus helped build a bridge to auto workers," Merkel said. "That we will sell less cars next year is obvious, but we think exports will pick up by then."

The program was partly intended to put more efficient cars on the road and make a positive contribution to the environment.

The auto show is open to the public from Thursday until September 27.

Ultra-Lightweight Manx Grand Prix

2009-09-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

Delightful Carolyn Sells has won the Ultra-Lightweight Manx Grand Prix (i.e. the 400cc & 650cc twin class). If you rememeber she crashed last year out of second place in the Ultra Lightweight race (luckily not badly hurt). But? you see? this year, she smoked 'em!

So
Provisional Result Sheet of Rider Machine/Entrant Time Speed Replica
Tower Insurance Lightweight/Ultra Lightweight Race
MGP 2009
1 36 Carolynn Sells 400cc Yamaha / Martin Bullock & Paul Morrisey 01 25 24.51 106.022 Replica
2 39 Mike Minns 650cc Suzuki / Merlin Sidecars 01 26 26.31 104.759 Replica
3 66 Wayne Kirwan 650cc Suzuki 01 26 27.44 104.736 Replica
4 44 Brian Purdy 399cc Honda 01 26 38.71 104.509 Replica
5 64 Ivan Lintin 650cc Suzuki 01 26 43.98 104.403 Replica
6 68 Peter Simpson 400cc Kawasaki 01 27 41.08 103.270 Replica
7 50 Andy Cowin 400cc Yamaha 01 28 19.35 102.524 Replica
8 33 Tim Sayers 400cc Kawasaki / LoanCash.co.uk 01 28 33.61 102.249 Replica
9 42 Simon Perkin 650cc Suzuki 01 28 39.20 102.142 Replica
10 69 Adrian Kershaw* 400cc Kawasaki / Barton Bikesport M/C Centre 01 28 42.87 102.071 Replica
etc. you can find complite

Biking Celebrities

2009-08-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

Bicycle has become very popular transport facilities and that's no wonder at all. I would not even explane why, everybody knows that this is first of all green and that is the most important cause of. So all of us should follow celebrities's example.

Angelina Jolie

Madonna

Uma Thurman

Nissan LEAF a new electric vehicle

2009-08-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

Wellcome new Nissan Leaf - 100% electric and zero emissions.

“Nissan LEAF is a tremendous accomplishment – one in which all Nissan employees can take great pride,” said Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn. “We have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality – the unveiling of a real-world car that has zero – not simply reduced – emissions. It’s the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey – for people all over the world, for Nissan and for the industry.”

Key characteristics of the LEAF include:
1) Zero-emission power train and platform, powered by laminated compact lithium-ion batteries, which generate power output of over 90kW, while its electric motor delivers 80kW/280Nm. It also has no tail pipe, and thus no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases. (*US LA4 mode)
2) Affordable pricing
3) Distinctive design, unlike internal-combustion engine (ICE) equipped vehicles
4) Real-world range autonomy – 160km (100 miles) based on a combination of regenerative braking system and innovative lithium-ion battery packs allowing the car to deliver a driving range of more than 160km (100 miles) on one full charge*.
5) Connected Mobility: Advanced intelligent transportation (IT) system

”Our car had to be the world’s first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And that’s what we’ve created. The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility,” said Masato INOUE, Product Chief Designer.

Michael Schumacher comes back

2009-07-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

As far it became known to Autofactum the 40-year-old Michael Schumacher is going to come back to Formula 1 next month.
Famous racer retired at the end of the 2006 season, but now he is hoping to race at the European Grand Prix that will take place in Valencia on Aug. 23.

The are a little bit discrepant comments come from different persons about that, for instance his doctor Johannes Peil said that "The comeback is contingent on Schumacher passing a fitness and other medical tests that could take several days"."Had Michael not worked so hard in recent months, all this would not have been possible," Peil told reporters. "This is the best thing that could happen to Formula One and it’s simply great for our sport," said Mercedes motor sports chief Norbert Haug.

Toyota Avensis Factum

2009-07-28T03:21:00.000-07:00

Powerful 2.4L twin cam VVT-i engine
Seats 7 adults
Climate control
Power windows (front & rear)
Power steering
6 speaker MP3 compatible CD player
Cruise control
Power mirrors

Central locking & keyless entry
Driver & front passenger SRS airbags
Front seat side curtain and front seat side impact airbags (Ultima only)
ABS with BA (Brake Assist) & EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution)
Toyota Safe-T-Cell
3 year / 100,000km warranty (whichever comes first)
Roof rails (Ultima only)
16" alloy wheels (Ultima only)

Thanks to a 2.4L twin-cam VVT-i 4 cylinder engine, delivering 118kW of power and 221Nm of torque, the Avensis is on a level all of its own when it comes to power and performance.

One Very Fast Cyclist

2009-07-21T08:01:00.000-07:00

GM Starts with eBay Auction Sales

2009-07-16T02:45:00.000-07:00

It's reported that General Motors Corporation is looking for ways to rebuild their company after declaring bankruptcy and it's no wonder. Now GM A new program being launched by GM is a sales agenda that will include making the entire GM has launched a new programm alowing to purchase vehicles online through eBay. Previously it was sold certified pre-owned cars through the auction site, but this new incentive would include new vehicles as well.

It is not legal for GM to sell their cars directly to consumers, so GM dealerships would actually be the ones creating the listings. The dealerships would be able to use the auction style listing in order to allow users to place a bid on a vehicle. They would also be able to opt to post a buy it now option. No word yet on how these prices will be determined by the car dealership. The winning bidder would have to go to the GM dealership that hosted the auction in order to complete the sale.

The final details have not been ironed out between GM and eBay, but it looks at those the sales program would start in California before going national. GM executives hope that using eBay will appeal to users that prefer to research and buy online.

New Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

2009-07-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

The new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has been seen by photograpfers in Qatar. In generally this model look loke regular Toyota, mixed from several moderls of the company and from the distance one might be easy confused with Land Cruiser 200.

You can read in Wikipedia that
"Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is a model designation used in Japan, Australia, South Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia and Latin America as well as other parts of the world for light-duty, mid-sized four-wheel drive cars in the Toyota Land Cruiser line. They are produced by the Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corporation. The car is marketed in many other parts of the developing world, such as the Caribbean and large parts of Africa.

In Europe it is sold as simply the Toyota Land Cruiser LC3, LC4 or LC5 (depending on the generation) or with the number series designation (LC 70, LC 90 and LC 120). In North America it is not part of the Land Cruiser range, being instead sold as the Lexus GX 470, with nearly identical body panels and a V8 engine."

It's really bold, elegant, and thought-provoking auto with the perfect vehicle for anyone thinking all-terrain. It combines the rugged dominance of its LandCruiser heritage with the passenger-car safety and sophistication for which Toyota is renowned. Complete with Driver Assist Technology, now is definitely the time to Think Prado.

Features
Driver Assist Technology (DAT) (specifications are model dependent)
4.0L V6 VVT-i engine* or 3.0L Turbo Diesel
Constant 4WD
6 speed manual or 5 speed auto
Driver & front passenger SRS airbags
AB-i (Active Braking with intelligence) which incorporates Anti-skid Braking System (ABS) Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) (standard on GXL, VX and Grande. Optional on Prado Standard & GX)
Safe-T-Cell impact absorbing cabin & side door anti-intrusion beams
Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) (standard VX & Grande)
Cruise Control (Optional on Prado Standard and GX
6 speaker audio with AM/FM stereo & MP3 compatible CD
Audio input jack for iPod® or other MP3 player
Bluetooth™ ^ hands-free compatibility^ (GXL and VX & Grande)
Audio Visual Navigation (AVN) System incorporating DVD based Satellite Navigation, AM/FM Radio & MP3 compatible in-dash 4 disc CD changer (Grande Only)

Ferrari Style

2009-07-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

I guess that the Ferrari's F430 Spider coupe might be the most desirable convertible variant of the exotic sports car for all Ferrari connoisseurs. As far as Ferrari 360 F430 Spider's is also offered in convertible form, with the powerful V8 providing an impressive 483 hp at 8500 rpm. Wonderful chassis with steering that is full of feel and turn-in to die for, with a strong drivetrain, including automated manual transmission and styling that wears "Ferrari" on its sleeve. That is I would like to get!

Besides that Ferrari's F1 gearbox for the F430 has been tuned by engineers on the Gestione Sportiva racing side. It incorporates a new control strategy which improves gear change speed and smoothness under hard use. Changing gear takes just 150 milliseconds.

The F430 includes the E-Diff computer-controlled limited slip differential, large Brembo brakes, Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 EMT tires, and F1-inspired "launch control" technology (Europe only).

The history of Detroit's Auto Show

2009-06-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

The history of Detroit's North American International Auto Show started back in 1907 when the Detroit car dealers first produced it. According to the Detroit News, however, it was started by bicycle-store owner, William E. Metzger, after he attended an auto exhibit in Europe and became Detroit’s first auto dealer. Metzger's 1899 show, sponsored by the Tri-State Sportsman's and Automobile Association, exhibited automobiles along side sporting goods. By 1902, automobiles were big enough that Tri-State held a show exclusively devoted to them. 1907 marked the first year in which the Detroit auto dealers, now numbering 16, held their own show. In 1909, they created the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, which has produced the show ever since. Surprisingly, auto manufacturers didn’t get in on the act until 1957.

During its long history, the Detroit Auto Show has been held in some very interesting locations, including beer gardens, dance halls, lumber yards and the Michigan State Fairgrounds. It moved to Cobo Center in 1961, however, and has been there ever since.

In a bid to compete with auto shows in New York, Chicago and New York, Detroit expanded its auto show and became the North American International Auto Show in the late 1980s. Part of the expansion involved getting certification from the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobile (OICA) and landing enough world debuts to insure the attendance of the foreign press. While Detroit still claims the most world debuts, those other auto shows recently received certification from OICA.

1938 Buick Y-Job Concept Car

2009-06-07T15:59:00.001-07:00

Also known as the Fireball, the Y-Job was the industry’s first concept car. It was built upon a standard Buick chassis, but had a long, low, streamlined custom body, hand-built by Earl’s craftsmen. The Y-Job featured numerous innovations, including hidden headlamps, power windows and convertible roof, and air-cooled, airplane-type brakes. Not content merely to exhibit it, Earl actually used the Y-Job as his personal car for years.

Designer Harley J Earl was the catalyst for the creation of this unique automobile. Colorful, charismatic and opinionated, Earl left his mark on generations of GM products. The Y-Job was a signpost that pointed to design trends that would endure for decades. Why the Y-Job name? In Earl's lexicon, every new project was a job. The letter "Y" went one step beyond the prosaic X-for-experimental designation and paid homage to the prototype fighter planes that were identified with the prefix "Y" by aircraft manufacturers.

The Y-Job was a collaborative effort within GM Design. Earl supplied the inspiration and a critical eye, George Snyder put the lines on paper and Buick Chief Engineer Charlie Chayne supervised the modifications to the production Buick Century chassis that became the foundation of GM's groundbreaking concept car.

They created a vision that inspired a new genre of automotive art: the Dream Car. With a 126-inch wheelbase and a body that extended more than 17 feet long, the two-seat convertible was an exuberant expanse of streamlined sheetmetal. Sporty yet elegant, the Y-job introduced innovative features such as concealed headlamps, electrically operated windows, flush door handles and a power-operated convertible top that was fully concealed by a steel boot when retracted.

1938 Buick Y-Job Concept Car

2009-06-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

1938 Buick Y-Job Concept Car, also known as the Fireball, was the industry’s first concept car. It was built upon a standard Buick chassis, but had a long, low, streamlined custom body, hand-built by Earl’s craftsmen. The Y-Job featured numerous innovations, including hidden headlamps, power windows and convertible roof, and air-cooled, airplane-type brakes. Not content merely to exhibit it, Earl actually used the Y-Job as his personal car for years.

BMW Concept X1 Arrives

2009-06-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

According to Autoblog After last night's impromptu unveiling of the BMW Concept X1 set off Dan's gag reflex, the Munich-based automaker has released the first batch of official info and images of its premium compact CUV. Most of us here at Autoblog echo Dan's sentiment that the Concept X1 is an ugly duckling, with very odd proportions for such a small CUV. The front end wears the new swollen nose first seen on the new 7 Series, while squared off wheel surrounds and lots of pinched surfacing reminds us of what we didn't like about the Bangle-era of BMW design.

They also think BMW's X line of SUVs and CUVs is getting a little crowded with the X5 and X3 recently joined by the X6 and soon a production version of the X1. We have to see them side by side, but the Concept X1 and current X3 look too close for comfort in size and purpose. Check out the official press release from BMW after the jump where the brand tries to explain the design details of the Concept X1, as well as the new, high-res gallery below and a new video after the jump. We'll have live shots of the Concept X1 from the floor of the Paris Motor Show tomorrow, and we hope more details on the concept's mechanicals.

Car Insurance

2009-06-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

Today you can find our best car insurance quote to suit your needs from a panel of leading world providers. There are various car insurance schemes. Using the online quote system you can check many providers to pick up the best and at the same time the cheapest car insurance.

Whether you are a first time driver, a woman driver or a young student driver aged between 18 - 21 years old and have held your licence for more than 1 year you could get up good discount on your motor insurance providing with competitive insurance solutions for car insurance to give you the cover you need.

Now thousands of consumers are forsaking their local insurance agent and seeking to buy car insurance online. It’s easy so see why — the time spent shopping online can be a fraction of the time spent talking on the phone with multiple agents. But there are several ways to buy car insurance online, and a few factors to keep in mind with each. Here is a three different methods to buy car insurance online.

1. You can solicit a quote from one specific company. If you have already chosen a particular insurance company (perhaps the one with which you’re already insured), you can submit an application online at that company’s homepage. All major insurance companies accept online applications.

This method allows you to submit the information when it’s convenient for you — perhaps in the evening when you have the time but your local insurance agency is closed. Then the insurance company will review your application and contact you with a quote. They may email the quote or have your local agent contact you. The downside is that you won’t have quotes from other insurance companies for comparison.

2. You can solicit a quote from an online insurer. An online insurer is an insurance company that does business only on the internet, such as Esurance. They have no local agents and they aren’t licensed to provide insurance in all states. However, if you live in one of the states in which they are licensed (they will let you know when you apply), the online insurer will provide an immediate quote to you by email. The benefit is the quick response time, but the drawback is that once again, you are only getting one quote. To get multiple quotes for comparison purposes, you would have to submit applications to multiple online insurers.

3. You can solicit multiple quotes from an online quote provider. An online quote provider, such as NetQuote, is a company who has relationships with dozens of the largest insurance companies. By submitting one application with an online quote provider, you can receive multiple quotes from a number of different insurers. Most online quote providers have relationships with all of the various kinds of insurance companies, so you are likely to receive quotes from local agents in your area, as well as large national insurance companies who do business in all fifty states. Depending on the state in which you live, you are also likely to receive instant emailed quotes from an online insurer such as Esurance. This method allows you to get multiple quotes for comparison purposes without having to submit multiple applications.

Dacia 2009

2009-06-03T18:52:00.000-07:00

Dacia took the wraps off Sandero Stepway at simultaneous events at the Barcelona Motor Show and at the L'Atelier Renault showroom in Paris. The adventurer looks of this variant of Sandero seeks to build on the success enjoyed by Dacia's compact yet spacious hatchback, sales of which have reached 60,000 units across Europe and in the Maghreb region since its launch in July 2008.

Dacia Sandero Stepway's athletic build is expected to notably appeal to younger buyers looking for an affordable vehicle with bags of personality. Thanks to its raised ground clearance, satin-finish chrome front and rear skid-plates and sills, chrome longitudinal roofbars and chrome exhaust tailpipe, Dacia Sandero Stepway is more than ready to hit the adventure trail. Three metallic body colours are available as standard: Platine Grey, Comète Grey and Feu Red.

It goes without saying that Dacia Sandero Stepway features the same strengths that have helped forged the success of its sibling, Sandero, namely unrivalled cabin space for its price (it comfortably seats five tall adults, plus a 320dm3 VDA boot), as well as the model's widelyacclaimed impeccable reliability.Depending on market, Dacia Sandero Stepway will be available with either 1.6 90hp petrol or dCi 70 diesel power. It is manufactured at the brand's ISO 14001-certified plant in Pitesti, Romania. More than five per cent of the plastics it contains are sourced from recycling and the car is 95 per cent end-of-life recoverable. This, combined with Dacia Sandero Stepway dCi 70's CO2 emissions rating of just 140g/km make it eligible for the Dacia eco² signature. The latest addition to the Dacia line-up boasts an unbeatable equipment and performance package for its price and will be available for sale in the majority of its European markets from September 2009. Order books are due to open in July 2009. Like all Dacia models in Europe, Dacia Sandero Stepway will come with a three-year or 100,000km warranty.

Dacia Sandero Stepway is based on the Ambiance version (central locking, power steering, etc.) and, in addition to its specific styling details, features a long list of comfort-related equipment, including a 60/40- split folding rear benchseat and foglamps for enhanced visibility at night-time and in fog. Drivers will particularly appreciate the slightly raised driving position, while the pleasure felt at the wheel of Dacia Sandero Stepway is further enhanced by the performance of the 1.6 MPI 90hp petrol and dCi 70hp diesel engines (depending on market), two powerplants which have already shown their worth under the bonnet of other Dacia models. Thrifty combined cycle fuel consumption of 7.6 and 5.3 litres/100km respectively only adds to the appeal of the 1.6 MPI and dCi 70 versions of Dacia Sandero Stepway. Last but not least, Dacia Sandero Stepway dCi 70 emits just 140g of CO2/km, making it eligible the Dacia eco² signature.