Monthly Archives: January 2010

Author : Alexander West

It was in 1973 that the initial Porsche Turbo prototype was put on display at a number of shows in Europe The following year, the 911 turbo was released in the market, having a 260 BHP engine with a capacity of 3 litres Think about this for a second; a road car displaying 260 horse power and a 3000cc engine, back in the early 70s

It was a luxurious car that had electric windows, tinted glass, air conditioning, Bilstein shocks, leather interior, and headlamp washers Only 500 models were initially made, but it was so popular that more than 1,000 units were sold This showed Porsche that the turbo was not going to be a short-lived model

There are a number of its features that impressed the customers, which included big tyres with wide wheels and large rear wing The wide wheels gave better road holding capability, while the large rear wing enhanced the aesthetics In addition to its powerful engine, the turbo made the 911 the fastest 911 ever

There were a number of additional improvements in the model by 1978, such as a bigger engine of 3 3 litres, which resulted in 40 BHP more The rear wing was likewise modified, doing away with two different grilles In their stead, use was made of a single large smooth surface that was slightly elevated to give space for an intercooler

As a result of the 2nd energy crunch, however, the turbo was removed from the markets in Japan and America in 1979 It was not until 1986 that the turbo was again brought back to America The company displayed its Turbo S at the motor show in Geneva in 1992, whose engine produced 381 BHP The turbo weighed in at 120kg, still allowing the Turbo S to be a fast car Just 80 Turbo S models were produced

1993 saw another increase in the capacity of the engine, reaching 3 6 litres, and its Turbo 3 6 badge made it easy to notice Note that the meaning of 3 6 litres is that the engine has a cylinder capacity [cc] of 3,600cc

Yet another model was introduced in 1996, which was designed from the 993 series The 4-wheel drive had an engine delivering 408 BHP, with a 6-speed gearbox Its rear wing, which was less evocative, made the model look elegant The diameter of its wheels is 18 inches, and there are five hollow spokes that help in reducing the weight by about 20% The brakes get even more power from the cooling air driven to them by the air ducts in the front wing It takes just 2 6 seconds to stop the car from a speed of 100 km/h, hence making it a safe automobile

Alex West is luxury car enthusiast. You can find out more about Porsche motor cars at Click Here

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Author : Jo Alelsto

Seat covers for vans are the popular choice of those who desire to change the appearance of their vehicles The interior can look shabby after a time and this is the reason owners go to accessory shops to look for the appropriate covers for their van seats However, with the large number of choices, selection can be troublesome There are a few considerations though if you are contemplating on replacing your old upholstery with new seat covers If you are reading this article, you are a step closer to finding the right covers for your van seats

Budget – Different van drivers do not have the same amount of spendable cash on a given moment Budget is an important consideration when you are choosing the right item While price can equate with quality, there are low-cost items whose quality may just be fine If you are not after premium, luxury products, opt for average items that may be bought at affordable prices

Preference – Many owners of vehicles and cars are particular with the material, design and color For instance, many would opt for a seat cover color that goes well with the exterior paint, otherwise the outcome may be plain outrageous Others do not look at the price when choosing but simply consider the quality, which can come with any material depending on the manner of manufacturing This is why it is important to trust reputable stores or companies when buying these products

Aesthetics – Looking for seat covers is not just about price and quality It is also about improving the interior appeal of your vans Many customers want to clothe the seats of their vehicles to cover torn spots or stains Others simply want to protect the original upholstery Generally, the installation of seat covers provide a fresh look of your vehicle interior, creating a different and more pleasant interior ambiance

Quality – Looking for excellent quality products is not necessarily difficult In fact, you can find premium items on the web This way you will be spending a lot of time driving to the nearest shop High quality products tend to last long and tend to resist wear and tear Manufacturers may recommend a few items to match your preference and the quality you are seeking Quality does not have to mean escalating prices

Seat size/dimensions – You may actually need to obtain measurements of your seats to ensure you would select the covers with the appropriate size After all, you don’t want to end up clothing your van seats with covers that are either too loose or too tight

Material – There are many seat covers in the market and each of these are made of different materials such as sheepskin, neoprene, leather, suede, fabric, and vinyl Each of these materials offer different feel and each has an advantage over the others as well as disadvantage For instance, the thickness of sheepskin provides good insulation; hence, products made of sheepskin serve for warmth during cold weather Leather may provide that luxurious feel and appeal that is just inviting

The best way to look for these products is to browse online Doing your selection over the internet provides convenience and time-efficiency In addition, you can compare prices of different items within a site and between two sites When you are browsing sites that sell van seat covers, don’t miss to read product descriptions and customer reviews User reviews would give you an idea of how well the products do after the purchase Errors in workmanship may not show until a few days of product usage, and some customers are just too overt to open up their disappointment on a particular product At the same time, reviews give you an instant knowledge about the pros and cons and other information about the products

Jo is an author and publisher for ‘Sai Baba’s Seat Covers’ (http://www.van-seat-covers.com/), a foremost UK retailer that manufactures a wide array of customized items for your van interior varying from van seat covers to steering wheel covers and mats invented to satisfy the requirements of their commercial clients and the general public, nationwide. If you are a private vehicle owner or a major or small local vehicle dealer searching for a superior quality but reasonably priced seat covers for vans then you should have a look at Sai Baba’s Seat Covers.

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Author : Thomas Jones

With all the high gas prices out there, hybrid vehicles are continuing to become more popular among drivers There are a few hybrid choices out there, but the Toyota Camry Hybrid seems to be the most popular of those choices Check out some of the features of the Toyota Camry hybrid and what sets itself apart from the other hybrids

Although the Toyota Camry hybrid is exactly the same as the previous Camry sedan models in many aspects, definitely the Hybrid models differ in some ways As Hybrid cars are run partly by electricity and the rest by gasoline, there is no denial that there would be positive outcome but there would also be a number of negative impacts Camry hybrid’s later models, such as the 2007 was classified as a “full hybrid” This is because it could run on gas or on electric energy, depending on the preference of the driver Nowadays, the combination of both is considered to be more popular and more and more people are considering investing in these models

While the sales of Toyota Camry hybrid are currently remarkably high, the company is still doing their best to get a greater share in the market Because of this, a massive and research is being conducted to develop the existing specification of the Camry Hybrid Based on the current specifications of the Toyota Camry Hybrid, we realize that the hybrid is either superior or just within the average level In the city, the Toyota Camry hybrid has a 40 MPG gas mileage while if the highway it has 38 MPG gas mileage It runs utilizing a four-cylinder engine that is using gasoline as fuel The maximum capacity of its NiMH 245V battery is about 30 kilowatt or 40 horsepower, peaking at about 192 horsepower or 140 kilowatts

About 2 4 liters of fuel can be accommodated in its gasoline engine while the electric motor is 45-horsepower There is also a system that helps the Camry Hybrids’ engine to maintain its efficient power band and this is the facilitating by the continuously variable transmission or CVT the transfer of power to the front wheels With the help of Hybrid Synergy Drive, the engine always remains at a single gear even if the speed changes

Toyota Camry Hybrid, based on test drives and reviews conducted, can match the acceleration speed of the Toyota V6 Camry The Toyota Camry Hybrid is said to have a finer acceleration particularly during traffic merges or highway speed, despite being a Hybrid

Gas Mileage and Environmental Information

The Toyota Camry Hybrid deserves the award of the Green car of the Year as well as the Eco-Friendly Car in 2007 True to its term as a hybrid, the car is known and proven to apply significantly low consumption of fuel The fact that Toyota Camry Hybrid can run on a combination of a gasoline and electric engines makes this car formidable and worthy of such awards

To explain the process, if the car was started from at rest point, the gasoline engine is used by the car Once it gains and maintains its acceleration speed, the car automatically utilizes its electric motor We can realize that gasoline consumption is lessened In this way, the economic efficiency in fuel consumption steps in

No amount of energy goes to waste even when the driver uses the breaks since it regenerative braking system is being observed The regenerative braking system is the process the mechanical energy produced when stepping on the brakes is automatically transformed into electric energy that is then automatically kept in the battery Therefore, plugging the car into an electric outlet for battery charging is no longer needed

There is also a lower amount of emissions Toyota Camry Hybrid according to test results, were confirmed to produce the lowest amount of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide These gases are known to be the major cause of ozone layer destruction We can hereby confirm that Toyota Camry Hybrid is a major breakthrough for the ecological awareness, as it does not contribute to the destruction of the environment brought about by these toxic emissions

In any factors, Toyota Camry Hybrid has been highly commendable In fact, the fuel economy department has recognized its US Environmental Protection Agency rating of about 33 miles per gallon About 700 miles in distance covers the mobility of the car

Other Features

Toyota Camry Hybrid is known for applying Hybrid Synergy Drive, it uses a computerized system in the engine transmission interior making the vehicle a one of its kind vehicle Another unique and smart feature is the LED tail lights, as well as the Eco button that helps make the smart adjustment of the climate control feature easier to manage

To ensure safety, the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system is being used for the Toyota Camry Hybrid, note that this system is solely associated with Toyota This system proves to be very helpful as it helps to detect information from many sensors in the car, respectively, it would trigger the Camry hybrids to set off the respective functions of the car The control of the Traction of noise, electronic-rake force distribution are monitored by this unique system

As a standard Toyota Camry Vehicle, the safety features are automatically included namely the side curtain bags, anti-lock brakes and side airbags which are mounted on the front seats Stability control inclusion is an optional safety feature

With an average current price of $ 26,200, an investment for a Toyota Camry Hybrid is not that bad Note that the price was set by Toyota Motors at about $25,200 during the initial release of their Hybrids Although a purchase of a hybrid nowadays can be considered a luxury, we should also consider that the costs of these hybrids are far lesser than the high-end cars In fact, if we do our research, we can immediately realize that the price of Toyota Camry Hybrid compared to other hybrids in the market is very competitive Most of the car manufacturers of hybrids mark these models with higher tag price due to the cost of more innovative design, more complicated process to assemble a highly fuel efficient vehicle

It is remarkable to learn that nowadays, more and more people are considering purchasing these hybrid cars And this was just after the U S car industry suffered a drawback brought about by the dwindling economy, deflating currencies, dramatic increase in fuel and crude oil prices Buying a vehicle was no longer a priority in the midst of that crisis, but recently the sales figure of the hybrid has shown progress which is why we believe that people are willing to invest on these hybrid vehicles mainly because of its fuel efficient factors More people are beginning to realize what their investment of hybrid vehicle could give them in return

For the Toyota Camry Hybrid, I don’t think we have left anything more to say The car is a certified Hybrid, tested and proven And much to others regret, there have been no negative feedbacks on this model of a hybrid Toyota Camry Hybrid is a very good investment indeed, and I were you, I wouldn’t wait any longer, grab your check and contact your Toyota dealer right away!

Do you want to learn ways to increase gas mileage? Then visit hybridcarchat.com and check out the latest free information regarding hybrid cars and a free guide to increasing your car’s gas mileage.

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Author : David Maillie

Hyundai Motor Corp surprised everyone this year by making the biggest increase in automotive brand value and recognition Hyundai for the first time ever beat such marques as Porsche, Lexus, and Nissan Honda and Toyota are now forced to take Hyundai more seriously as it is now closing in on them at a rapid pace According to J D Power and Associates, Hyundai has one of the highest consumer satisfaction ratings of all vehicle manufacturers and its brand value has greatly increases after the introduction of their hot 2006 model lineup

According to the 2006 Best Global Brands survey Hyundai Motor Company has emerged as one of the worlds leading brands with stellar levels of customer satisfaction that rival the best in the industry Brandon Yea, Hyundai vice president for branding strategy, stated that Hyundai represents solid quality and representation at every level now as we have everything from the low end to our new entry into luxury sedans with the Alzerra Hyundai is now being seen as a serious player in the automotive industry While other automakers are worried about profits (GM and Chrysler), Hyundai is thinking about how much more market share it will take this year The Alzerra was targeted at the Acura and Lexus luxury car markets and has shown great promise so far

Apparently Hyundai has taken a page from Walmart founder Sam Walton, price yourself as aggressive as possible while providing what your customers want and need Hyundai has out priced their competition and now sits poised to become, perhaps, the major automotive player similar to what Walmart did with its retail stores According to the Harvard Business Review, Hyundai has the perfect business model and will be the automotive manufacturer to beat in the coming years Large automotive dealership chains like Hendrick Automotive Group and Sonic are adding Hyundai dealerships as fast as they can be built

Hyundai is not sitting on its laurels with the good news, however They are investing heavily in research and product development They are also planning and designing more competitive models We have found great success in every product line we have been involved in and will continue to add to this Our philosophy is similar to that of MDWholesale, one of our business partners To provide the best value at the best price for our customers, stated Yea GM and Chrysler will learn a lot about the car business from Hyundai, they don’t have a choice

David Maillie specializes in automotive safety products and information. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information, tips, safety and money saving products please visit MDWholesale.com

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Author : James Todman

Car tyres inflated to their correct tyre pressure can save the motorists up to 10% on their fuel bill But a survey by TyreSafe reveals many are ignoring this advice

The survey coincides with the start of Tyre Safety Month; a campaign to highlight the dangers of driving without the correct tyre pressures

Maintaining the car manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure can:

1) Increase safety by improving the vehicle’s braking, steering and accelerating performance

2) Prolongs the life of a car tyre

3) Save money by reducing fuel consumption Under inflated tyres have a larger contact patch with the road surface, which increases drag and causes the car engine to work harder

4) Have a positive environmental impact by reducing the number of tyres that need to be disposed of and reduce harmful gas emissions from the car engine

The advice is to check air pressures at least once a month and always before a long journey Motorists should use the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure This can be found in the vehicle’s handbook or on a plate inside the fuel filler flap

While checking air pressure conduct a visual inspection of the car tyre to ensure it is in good condition Look for cracks or unusual bulges Stones lodged in the tyre’s tread should be removed If in any doubt about the tyre’s condition you should consult a tyre specialist for a car tyre check

It’s a legal requirement to maintain a tread depth of a minimum 1 6mm in a continuous band throughout the central three-quarters of the tread width and over the whole circumference of the tyre Most tyres have a tread wear indicator Look for a horizontal bar of rubber located between the tread patterns, at a depth of 2mm When the height of the tread wears down to the height of this bar it is time to replace the car tyres

Other tips include:

1) Check the pressures when the car tyres are cold

2) Adjust the car tyres pressure when travelling with increased weight from passengers or a heavy load Towing a trailer or caravan will also require the pressures to be increased The vehicle’s handbook will advise on the correct tyre pressure required

3) Don’t forget to check the pressure of the spare tyre

4) Ensure the pressure gauge used is reliable and accurate

5) Always replace the dirt free valve cap

Rob Beddis, TyreSafe chairman, says; ‘By taking just a few minutes every month to check the pressure of each tyre and adjust it to the recommended level, significant improvements to road safety will be made and motorists could also save money through reducing fuel consumption ‘

Merityre.co.uk are a leading UK independent supplier of car tyres. Visit their website for free vouchers, including 10% off your next MOT, free wheel alignment check and free locking wheel nuts.

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Author : Catherine Harvey

BMW are one of the biggest car makers in the world and are one of the ‘big three’ car makers in Germany, the others being Mercedes and Audi

In 2001, BMW took over one of the most iconic car makers from the 60 and 70′s -Mini Once they had bought the company they went back to the drawing board and decided to create their own car based on the original Mini

The original mini was famed for its really small size and driving pleasure, but BMW had to recreate the Mini to be bigger due to all the new safety equipment that would need to be in place This meant that some hardcore enthusiasts of the original Mini criticized the new car from BMW saying it was far too heavy and large and it had not captured or shown the original car from the 60′s But BMW hit back saying it was a lot safer and features a lot more equipment in the new car with ABS and air conditioning being some of that new equipment

Since 2001, BMW have created a new Mini range with a selection of 3 models with a lot of different configurations in place The three current models are the hatchback, convertible and the clubman estate The convertible is based on the hatchback chassis while the clubman features a lengthened chassis to create that small estate look

The hatchback has under gone two changes over its lifetime – the mark 1 and the mark 2 The mark 2 featured a new body shape that was softer and more smooth than the original and new engines, dropping the old tritec engines for the new Prince engines and a Peugeot diesel engine for the diesel variants of the car

The Mini has boosted in popularity since being used in the remake of the old Italian Job movie as they tried to recreate the flair from the old car and try and recreate the old movie with the new car The film went down a hit all round the world and it was especially popular in the United States where the car was nominated for car of the year in 2003 The diesel version of the hatchback was also nominated for car of the year and judges placed it on the shortlists for the green car awards against cars such as the Ford Focus Econetic Other things that appeared through the BMW Mini is the BMW Mini challenge series where young racing drivers can race the latest Mini Cooper S in a feeder series for other types of motor sport

This coincides with the variant of the hatchback that you can buy for the road The John Cooper works Mini was tuned by John Coopers racing company after receiving it from BMW, they place a bigger and more powerful engine and stiffen up the chassis and suspension offering a much more aggressive driving style

There was only a limited amount of these cars built however as they assigned as a special edition series Over its life only 2000 cars were built and were sold in a relatively short time To add to the sportier ride the car was also lightened to allow for better agility and reactions meaning you could chuck the car into a corner a lot more aggressively

Future Mini’s may become 4 wheel drive and many different concepts have appeared at the Geneva Motor show in Switzerland

Classic car expert Catherine Harvey looks at what changes BMW have made to the classic Mini since their take over in 2001.

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Author : Tony Hill

The new Toyota IQ is one of the latest ‘city-cars’ to hit the market as the demand for small, nippy cars seems to heat up

The likes of the Peugeot 107 and the near-identical Citroen C1 have proved a big hit as more people seem to have turned to smaller fuel-efficient cars in a bid to make their fuel go further Toyota’s latest offering is smaller than both models coming in at just 3 meters in length which makes it ideal for busy inner-city driving

Size wise the IQ is more of a rival to the likes of the Smart ForTwo The IQ was launched in the UK during January 2009 and at present is the smallest 4 passenger car in the world – I say at present because I’m sure someone will come up with a smaller one!

A great advantage of having a small car is being able to fit into the tiniest spaces – perfect for the busy London streets! Another thing to consider is that the new IQ has a turning circle of just 3 9 metres – a black cab needs twice that!

If you are after a small, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly car then the answer to the title question is yes The IQ is perfect for driving through inner-cities and nipping into town – whether or not it is comfortable enough for long daily commutes depends on you

The IQ is equipped with ‘ultra-slim’ seatbacks which is primarily designed to maximise the interior space – the IQ can fit up to four people, preferably 3 adults and one child – it is frequently referred to as the 3

+ 1 Toyota says that the seats don’t compromise on comfort but I guess that is best judged yourself From the outside the IQ does look really small – but it does actually boast to have a roomy interior which makes it really deceptive

The interior as a whole has been designed with comfort in mind The steering wheel even has a flat bottom to accommodate room for your knees Toyota have also designed a ‘flat’ fuel tank which means that the driver and passengers sit lower down and end up having more headroom

Often a concern with small cars is safety – yet so many small cars seem to do so well in safety tests and there is no exception with the IQ either It has NINE airbags and achieved a perfect five star Euro NCAP rating so you can definitely travel through the city in safety You will be pleased to know that the IQ has the facilities to keep you entertained as well – it is fitted with a CD player that has MP3 and iPod compatibility

As more car manufacturers scramble to produce fuel efficient cars as the price of gas increases it seems as though Toyota have got it right For a dinky little city-car the IQ is surprisingly stylish For a car that is called the IQ it must be intelligent!

Tony Hill is an online marketer and researcher who is currently researching Toyota IQandToyota Newcastle

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Author : Thomas Pretty

When considering buying a caravan there are certain things that must be taken account of before you head off for the caravan dealership The choice of caravans is vast, and confusing if you do not have a clear idea of what you need There are general factors that must be considered before you even look for your local caravan dealership

The first consideration should be the pulling power of your car While the caravan dealership may encourage you to buy the biggest caravan on the lot, your mechanic will not The weight and size of a caravan are both vital considerations when planning a purchase Remember; safety is your primary concern as the wellbeing of your family and stress free holidaying is paramount

A good rule of thumb when making a purchase from a caravan dealership is the weight ratio between the car and trailer The lower this percentage ratio the better, a golden rule is to have a maximum ratio of 85percent as a power reserve for overtaking and hill climbs is a necessity

When at the dealership you will see all manner of shapes and sizes of caravan It must be remembered that the old box shape trailer caravans increase a car’s fuel consumption Modern caravans are more streamlined; this reduces fuel consumption by improving aerodynamics while adding to the stability of the caravan in transit

The dealership will most likely contain the single and twin axle types of caravan The question is which is the best? Your dealer should tell you that if you are newcomer to the world of caravanning a single axle caravan will suit your needs This is because while the double axle caravans are more stable, they make the outfit extremely hard to park Also two axles can be seen as double the cost, in terms of tyres and upkeep

A primary concern for many first time buyers is how long a caravan will last A reputable dealership should sell you a caravan that will last at least ten years; this will only be possible with proper care of course When visiting the dealership ensure to thoroughly check for damp and moisture as this will spell disaster for any caravan Also ensure you have the caravan serviced annually, this will prolong its life

A question often asked at caravan dealerships is what layout is best? This is down to personal preference Here you must look at what you will need the caravan for and how it should perform certain roles Things to consider are the location of the dining area, the work surfaces and if the headroom is adequate Storage space is also a crucial requirement to consider; ensure the catches are well anchored so your items are securely stowed away

In terms of prices it is hard to nail a value on second hand caravans as the variables are both diverse and vast Even when buying new it may be possible to broker a deal A prerequisite when going to the dealership is to take someone with you who has experience and knows what look for, it is also vital to have a clear idea of what your caravanning requirements are

Ensure the dealer provides a user handbook with the caravan; this is a legal requirement that must be met The handbook should cover the caravan type, its dimensions and weight, the wheels and tires specification as well as the operating instructions Any safety instructions should also be covered in the handbook

A caravan is a large financial investment, make sure it is exactly what you require and take time to make a decision Do not purely accept the word of the dealership, there are many websites that contain model reviews that are a helpful resource in coming to the right judgment If you follow this advice you should obtain a caravan that is perfect and will provide many years of stress free holidaying for you and your family

Caravaning expert Thomas Pretty looks at the considerations that should be made before visiting your local caravan dealership . To find out more please visit http://www.homesteadcaravans.co.uk/

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