Jaguar XJ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GM Starts with eBay Auction Sales

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.