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Save Money with a Biodiesel Kit

With the rising gas prices of today many folks have begun to look for an alternative way to state in language fuel in their cars
. A biodiesel kit fits the bill for many people who have started making this oil saving fuel in their have backyards. And for what cause not contribute your own material for burning, the hit to wallets and bank accounts with high gasoline prices makes finding alternative fuel sources imperative these days, particularly with the price of gas and oil in the news on a daily basis. A biodiesel kit is a great persons way to save a substantial amount of money on your fuel costs
. The basic function of such a kit is to convert vegetable oil into biodiesel, a firing source that can be used in vehicles that currently run on diesel combustible matter. It is important to annotation that not all car companies guarantee the use of biodiesel fuel in their vehicles and direct void the warranty suppose that an engine is damaged by its use. Be sure to research this control buying a new vehicle with a diesel engine. For older diesel cars and trucks there are engine conversion kits that will ascertain by enumeration the change to cleaner burning biodiesel much easier. There is a minimal amount of stores needed to use a biodiesel kit. You will need basic tap water, methanol and access to a beneficial amount of vegetable oil, which can usually be obtained from restaurants and such. You can set the kit up just about anywhere, although greatest in number the public do put them outside in a shed or under an overhang. You will be making a fuel oil thus setting up in the house may not be a real good idea. When it comes to pricing a kit the added features to be found the more expensive the kit. The most expensive models are built to prevent fumes and odors from escaping during the refining process. Having an odorless refining process may be important for those wishing to refine their combustible matter near their home. If you live on a farm or a large acreage this may not have existence as important as the kit can be located farther from the house. Of order if you can afford it reach ahead and get the more expensive closed system just because they are very easy to application. If for some reason you already have a large sum of cooking oil that you need to dispose of then a biodiesel kit would work accurately. It does take more time to process used oil but the results are the same, a more environmentally well-disposed fuel that can be induce into a diesel powered vehicle. Considering that the price of gasoline is on any ever rising run making biodiesel with a view to personal use can be seen viewed like a pungent move. Having your own biodiesel small tub producing a constant give of a low cost environmentally friendly fuel right in your own backyard would remove the sting of high pump prices.
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/save-money-with-a-biodiesel-kit-942417.html

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2010 Ford Mustang Scores 5-Star Safety Ratings

More good news from Ford, their current gen Mustang is as safe as a car can get. At least that’s according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, who just awarded the Mustang a five out of five star safety rating. I don’t know why this struck me as being surprising, but when I thought more about it, there’s no reason for it not to be a safe car.

Sports cars, or sporty cars, or even pony cars always seem to have a rep as being unsafe. Probably part and parcel of that “speed kills” indoctrination I put up with as a kid in school. And apart from dealing with issues like size and such, something like a basic pony car, a Mustang or a Camaro or a Challenger, should actually come off better than most. They’re quite rigid for their size, and being American, they’re apt to make the sheet metal thicker than their Euro counterparts.

Ford, as you would expect, is quite pleased with the safety news.

Steve Kozak, Ford Chief Engineer for Safety Systems said “We’ve made many upgrades to the new Mustang that contributes not only to the car’s safety, but also to its driving enjoyment thanks to a stiffer structure.” And Sue Cischke, Ford Group Vice President of Ford Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering added, “The Mustang offers top safety ratings that, like its design and performance, other sports cars cannot match.”

Anyway, apart from the corp.-speak crowing, the relevant bits of news are as follows.

The 2010 Ford Mustang coupe earned the U.S. government’s top 5-star safety ratings, not only for the driver and passenger in front crash tests, but also got 5 stars in side crash tests and in rollover crash test performance as well. The Mustang getting top marks only adds to Ford’s enviable safety record since they have more U.S. government 5-star ratings than any other automotive brand, which is very impressive. And Mustang sales figures continue to impress, with nearly a 40 percent share of the sporty car segment in April and May sales are already ahead of projections.

Crisis? What crisis?

Here’s Ford’s press release:

2010 FORD MUSTANG SCORES 5-STAR SAFETY RATINGS

CONTEXT / BACKGROUND:

The 2010 Ford Mustang coupe has earned the U.S. government’s top 5-star crash-test rating, adding to widespread acclaim for the new car’s unmistakable design and upgraded performance that builds on the formula that’s made it America’s favorite pony car for 45 years. Ford has more U.S. government 5-star-rated vehicles than any other brand and more Top Safety Pick ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety than any other automaker.

DETAILS:

The new Mustang uses high strength steel in its body structure and uses ultra high strength steel in the door intrusion beams for additional side impact protection.

The Mustang’s considerable body stiffness contributes to the coupe and convertible’s driving performance and has a parallel benefit in accident protection. While the coupe’s body structure is approximately 31 percent stiffer than the previous Mustang platform, the convertible’s is more than twice as stiff – creating a structure that helps protect the cabin from deformation and intrusion during an impact.

The front structure’s crush zones are computer-designed to absorb energy in a controlled manner and help dissipate it before it can reach the passenger compartment. Ford engineers have run thousands of design iterations of the Mustang’s front rails to arrive at an octagonal shape that helps spread crash forces evenly to help protect occupants.

State-of-the-art technology adds to the convenience and safety of the 2010 Mustang, from the availability of the latest version of Ford SYNC®, with new features 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report, to standard AdvanceTrac® Electronic Stability Control, which complements the all-speed traction control and standard anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Additional standard safety equipment includes Beltminder® and the Personal Safety System™ – a system that includes dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags, safety belt pretensioners and Beltminder.

Sales Leader

Mustang remains the number one selling sports car by a wide margin, with the new 2010 model driving showroom traffic. In April, Mustang had nearly a 40 percent share of the retail sports car segment.

Photo from Flickr user ANATOLI AXELROD

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Daimler Acquires Stake In Tesla

BOOM! That sound you heard was Tesla getting vindication and Mercedes announcing what could be the most important automotive partnership in a very long time. Today, Daimler, parent company of Mercedes, announced that they have acquired a stake in Tesla motors, darling of the EV car set, and that they will also be exchanging technologies.

Is this the deal that will put electric vehicles on the map for real?

Daimler took an equity stake of “nearly 10 percent” in Tesla Motors, and they are already planning to use some of Tesla’s technology when the German company launches the electric Smart ForTwo later this year. Company officials said that the deal would provide Daimler with batteries and the know-how needed to bring an electric car to market “at the highest possible speed,” What does Tesla get out of all this? A big pile of cash and, possibly, the parts and engineering expertise it needs to build the Model S sedan.

“Tesla brings expertise in the battery electric front. Daimler brings expertise in everything else. This will be a very productive relationship where both Tesla and Daimler benefit,” said Tesla CEO Elon Musk during a press conference from Daimler’s headquarters in Stuttgart.

Details of the deal were few and far between, but Daimler officials said its investment is “a double-digit million sum for a nearly 10 percent stake in Tesla Motors.” Not only does Daimler get a 10% stake, but the vice president of E-Drive and Future Mobility at Daimler, Herbert Kohler, takes a seat on Tesla’s board of directors. They will also provide components and engineering assistance to Tesla, presumably to aid in the development of the Model S sedan Tesla unveiled in March.

“We are about to combine the best of old and new school. We are both deeply convinced that electric powertrains will play a major role in sustainability mobility,” said Thomas Weber, director of group research at Daimler.

This looks like it’s going to be very, very interesting.

Here’s the press release:

Strategic partnership: Daimler acquires stake in Tesla

STUTTGART, Germany, and SAN CARLOS, Calif.,May 19, 2009

German automaker acquires nearly 10 percent of one of the leading electric vehicle companies

*

Automakers agreed to cooperate in battery systems, electric drive systems and vehicle projects

Daimler AG has acquired an equity stake of nearly 10 percent of Tesla Motors Inc. This investment deepens the relationship between the inventor of the automobile and the newest member of the global auto industry. Tesla is the only production automaker selling a highway capable electric vehicle in North America and Europe.

The two companies have already been working closely to integrate Tesla’s lithium-ion battery packs and charging electronics into the first 1,000 units of Daimler’s electric smart car. In order to benefit from each other’s know-how, the investment enables the partners to collaborate even more closely on the development of battery systems, electric drive systems and in individual vehicle projects.

“Our strategic partnership is an important step to accelerate the commercialization of electric drives globally,” said Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “As a young and dynamic company, Tesla stands for visionary power and pioneering spirit. Together with Daimler’s 120 years of experience in the automotive sector this collaboration is a unique combination of two company’s strengths. This marks another important milestone in Daimler’s strategy for sustainable mobility.”

“Daimler has set the benchmark for engineering excellence and vehicle quality for more than a century. It is an honor and a powerful endorsement of our technology that Daimler would choose to invest in and partner with Tesla,” said Tesla CEO and Product Architect Elon Musk. “Daimler is also on the leading edge in the field of sustainable mobility. Among others the lithium-ion pouch-cell battery developed by Daimler and especially designed for automotive applications is of interest to us. We are looking forward to a strategic cooperation in a number of areas including leveraging Daimler’s engineering, production and supply chain expertise. This will accelerate bringing our Tesla Model S to production and ensure that it is a superlative vehicle on all levels.”

Together on the road to electro-mobility

As part of the collaboration, Prof. Herbert Kohler, Vice President E-Drive and Future Mobility at Daimler AG, will take a seat on Tesla’s board of directors.

This long-term partnership with Tesla complements Daimler’s multi-facetted strategy to advance the electrification of the automobile. Daimler is also moving forward the industrialization of lithium-ion technology. In March, the company founded the Deutsche Accumotive GmbH, a joint venture with Evonik Industries AG. As a result, Daimler is the first vehicle manufacturer worldwide that develops, produces and markets batteries for automotive applications. This is based on a Daimler stockholding in Li-Tec, the German specialist for lithium-ion battery cells.

100 smart electric cars have already been undergoing large-scale trials in London since 2007. These electric vehicles are being tested in day-to-day assignments by fleet operators and private customers.

Later this year the smart assembly plant in Hambach, France, will start production of up to 1,000 units of the second-generation smart fortwo with electric drive, which will initially be used for mobility projects such as e-mobility Berlin or e-mobility Italy. This year Daimler is also starting small-series production of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class with a fuel cell drive system. In 2010 the company will introduce its first battery-powered Mercedes-Benz. As of 2012, Daimler plans to equip all smart and Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles with own produced lithium-ion batteries.

In 2004, Tesla began development of its first electric vehicle, the Roadster, which remains the only highway capable EV for sale in North America or Europe. The Tesla Roadster is the first production battery electric vehicle to travel more than 200 miles per charge and the first US- and EU-certified lithium-ion battery electric vehicle. This green supercar accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds yet gets the equivalent of 256 miles per gallon. The Roadster, which travels an estimated 244 miles per charge with zero tailpipe emissions, is the first production vehicle to break the historical compromise between automobile performance and efficiency.

The Tesla Model S builds upon the success of the Tesla Roadster by leveraging its technology into the world’s first fully electric sedan. Based in Silicon Valley, Tesla unveiled the Model S in March and plans to produce it in California starting in late 2011.

About Daimler

Stuttgart, Germany-based Daimler AG, with its businesses Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Daimler Financial Services, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Daimler Buses, is a globally leading producer of premium passenger cars and is the global market leader for heavy- and medium-duty trucks and buses. The Daimler Financial Services division has a broad offering of financial services, including vehicle financing, leasing, insurance and fleet management. Daimler sells its products in nearly every country and has production facilities on five continents. Founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, continued to make automotive history following their invention of the automobile in 1886. As an automotive pioneer, Daimler and its employees willingly accept an obligation to act responsibly towards society and the environment and to shape the future of safe and sustainable mobility with groundbreaking technologies and high-quality products. The current brand portfolio includes the world’s most valuable automobile brand, Mercedes-Benz, as well as smart, AMG, Maybach, Freightliner, Western Star, Mitsubishi Fuso, Setra, Orion and Thomas Built Buses. The company is listed on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt, New York and Stuttgart (stock exchange abbreviation DAI). In 2008, the Group sold 2.1 million vehicles and employed a workforce of over 270,000 people; revenue totaled €95.9 billion and EBIT amounted to €2.7 billion. Daimler is an automotive Group with a commitment to excellence, and aims to achieve sustainable growth and industry-leading profitability.

About Tesla Motors

San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla Motors Inc. makes electric vehicles with exceptional design, performance and efficiency, while conforming to all North American and European safety, environmental and durability standards. The Roadster has a 0-to-60 mph acceleration of 3.9 seconds yet is more energy efficient than a Toyota Prius. Tesla expects to begin producing the all-electric, zero-emission Model S sedan in late 2011.

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Body kits – mix them up!

Body kits are a great way to personalize your car
. You can single out a style and color that reflects your taste. However if you have bought a particularly popular car model then there will be thousands of car owners out in that place who have personalized their car
. And it is quite possible you cannot find a unique way to personalize your car.

One option to be availed of for you is custom body kits. You can have being sure you will get a unique pattern and unique styling. However custom body kits are expensive and they in like manner take era to be built. If you possess the time and money you can accept in for a habit design.

However if you don’t have both or one and the other then too you can get yourself truly singular car styling. How do you do that? You may know that people often mix and suit dresses to be the occasion of fresh unique looks for themselves. Well you have power to do the same with body kits.

You can take the front bumper from one delineation and a rear bumper from another. You can add car spoilers
from a third design and similarly you can add more body kit components. Ultimately you will bear assembled a truly unique set of products to personalize your car. Of way this freedom to do as you wish comes with a responsibility. You will have to gain sure the components gel together and look great in succession your car.

If you have some time you can consider getting some of the components painted. This will not add to the cost much and render capable you to have colors of your choice. You can also get some graphics added to match your style.

Besides mixing material substance kit components you obtain power to also consider a few more car styling products to give your car a personal touch. There are many such products. For example you can add car mirrors and window louvers.

Doing up your car can have existence a source of immeasurable joy. If you take the time and effort to personalize your car you will reap the benefits as long as you own the car and drive around in it with a sense of pride.

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Fast & Furious Nissan Skyline Stolen?

It only took 10 minutes for the car thieves to steal the famous Fast n Furious Turbocharged Nissan GT-R or in the actual condition, a Skyline GT-S modified to be looked like it. The skyline was stored in Sun Valley, Los Angeles.

The price of the car is about $75,000 and was believed carries no insurance!!

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Driver Nails Bison, Totals Fusion, Buys Another From Ford

From the “You’ve got to be kidding” files comes word (actually via FoMoCo) about a woman who was driving near Yellowstone Park and hit a BISON with her shiny new Ford Fusion and lived to tell about it. Not only did she live, but she was so impressed with the Fusion’s sturdiness, she bought another one as a replacement.

OK, so here’s the short version: Maureen Edgerton, 51, of West Yellowstone, Mt., was driving home on the night of April 11, when she unwittingly drove her 2007 Ford Fusion into a herd of bison. She was doing 55 MPH, even thought the highway was snowbound at the time, killed several of the migrating brutes and walked away with only minor scrapes and bruises.

Related Ms. Edgerton, “The crash was like a war scene. By the time it was over the hood was smashed in, the mirrors were ripped from the doors and the windshield was shattered, but the interior of the car wasn’t affected whatsoever. And the car was still running and not leaking fluid. Not even the tires were deflated. Everyone who came to the scene asked ‘what kind of car is this?’ because they couldn’t believe it was possible to walk away from such a crash,”

Yeah, I bet they were. Shoot, I was shaking my head just reading the subject line of Ford’s press release. Bison, also commonly known as the American buffalo, are enormous brutes. Most people have only seen them in pictures, but I’ve been up close and personal with them on more than one occasion, actually even touched one once. They’re roughly six feet tall and ten feet long and weigh more than a ton; roughly the size and weight of a Mazda Miata, only with a bad disposition and short curved horns.

Not only are they big and imposing, they can get plenty mean if crossed:

“Bison are among the most dangerous animals encountered by visitors to the various U.S. and Canadian National Parks, especially Yellowstone National Park. Although they are not carnivorous, they will attack humans if provoked. They appear slow because of their lethargic movements, but they can easily outrun humans—they have been observed running as fast as 35 miles per hour (56.3 km/h) per hour. Between 1978 and 1992, nearly five times as many people in Yellowstone National Park were killed or injured by bison as by bears (12 by bears, 56 by bison). Bison also have the unexpected agility, given the animal’s size and body structure, to leap over a standard barbed-wire fence,” so says Wikipedia.

Running into one, let alone a herd of them, at any appreciable speed has got to be devastating. I had an uncle that ran into a heard of cows that had wandered onto a highway after some fog rolled into the area. A cow is half the size & weight of a bison, and it nearly totaled the car he was driving. And the car he was driving wasn’t little, it was a Kaiser Manhattan, and he still considered himself lucky to walk away.

So what did Maureen Edgerton do after she tagged a heard of buffalo at freeway speeds? She went and got ANOTHER Ford Fusion because she was so “Impressed by the Fusion’s crash protection, safety features and fuel efficiency, Edgerton has picked the new 2010 Ford Fusion to be her next new vehicle.”

If I were Ms. Edgerton, I’d be buying lotto tickets.

Ford’s press release:

DRIVER SURVIVES HIGH-SPEED YELLOWSTONE BISON CRASH TO BUY FUSION AGAIN

SUMMARY:

* Montana driver buys a 2010 Ford Fusion to replace her totaled 2007 Fusion after walking away from a catastrophic crash with a herd of bison near Yellowstone Park

* The all-new 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid – the most fuel efficient midsize car in North America – feature exclusive safety technologies and are “Top Safety Pick” rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

* Among the Fusion’s segment-exclusive safety and driver-aid technologies are Blind Spot Information System (BLISTM) with Cross Traffic Alert and 911 Assist

CONTEXT / BACKGROUND:

Maureen Edgerton, 51, of West Yellowstone, Mt., was driving home on the dark night of April 11, when she unexpectedly slammed her 2007 Ford Fusion into a herd of bison. The 55-mile-per-hour impact totaled the car and killed several of the migrating “American buffalo” on the snowbound highway. Edgerton, however, walked away with only minor scrapes and bruises. Impressed by the Fusion’s crash protection, safety features and fuel efficiency, Edgerton has picked the new 2010 Ford Fusion to be her next new vehicle.

QUOTES:

“The crash was like a war scene. By the time it was over the hood was smashed in, the mirrors were ripped from the doors and the windshield was shattered, but the interior of the car wasn’t affected whatsoever. And the car was still running and not leaking fluid. Not even the tires were deflated. Everyone who came to the scene asked ‘what kind of car is this?’ because they couldn’t believe it was possible to walk away from such a crash.”

– Maureen Edgerton, Fusion owner and resident of West Yellowstone, Mt.

“The Fusion’s safety systems worked just as they were supposed to in Maureen’s accident. They saved her life. I don’t think there was any question in her mind when she came to us that her next car would be another Fusion, because the new model has even more safety technology on it than the one she’d been driving.”

– Gary Berg, sales consultant at Bozeman Ford Lincoln Mercury in Bozeman, Mt.

“While our customer’s bison collision certainly demonstrates how tough the 2007 Fusion is, we’ve designed the new Fusion to be even tougher. It proves that a high level of safety can come in a midsize package.”

– Steve Kozak, chief engineer, Ford Safety Systems

DETAILS:

While Ford Motor Company does not have specific requirements to protect customers in collisions with bison or other animals, all of the company’s vehicles are designed and tested to meet rigorous crash safety requirements. These requirements help protect occupants in all sorts of collisions, even with bison, which can grow to more than 6 feet tall, 11 feet long and more than 2,200 pounds.

Having emerged from the accident relatively unscathed, Edgerton said the decision to buy another Fusion came easily. The new model has even more safety features, such as side curtain air bags and is “Top Safety Pick” rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It also comes equipped with optional all-wheel drive and delivers segment-leading fuel economy for Edgerton’s long drives up Rocky Mountain passes to visit her daughter in Seattle, Wash.

Maureen and her husband Doug Edgerton, who manufacture and sell ski grooming equipment, have driven Ford vehicles for many years, including at present a 2005 Ford Escape XLT, a 2002 F-250 XLT diesel, 2008 F-250 XLT V10. Previous to purchasing her 2007 Fusion, Maureen put 250,000 miles on a 1999 Ford Taurus.

Front and side impact protection

Fusion gets some of its core strength from the use of lightweight high-strength steel in the body structure. The structure of the Fusion helps it withstand intrusion in many accidents, including the most common frontal and side impacts.

The tailor-welded B-pillars between the front and rear doorframes are stronger at the top of the vehicle – from below the beltline upward – than at the bottom. This helps to channel energy below the level of the occupants. At the torso level and above, the structure helps to prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment.

Fusion’s front and side-protection elements include:

* The first use on a Ford vehicle of dual-phase, high-strength steel rails on the front end;

* Two energy absorbing foam blocks between the inner door panels and interior trim, aligned with the occupants’ chest and hip ;

* Side-intrusion beams inside the door, anchored at the hinge and latch areas;

* Tailor-welded steel in the B-pillar structure with extra thickness – nearly a quarter inch of solid steel – above the beltline; and

* Front-seat side air bags for front occupants and side-curtain air bags for head protection in both rows.

Segment-exclusive features

Among the segment-exclusive safety and driver aid technologies on the new Fusion is Blind Spot Information System (BLISTM) with Cross Traffic Alert and 911 Assist – a new feature integrated into the award-winning Ford SYNCTM hands-free system.

The 911 Assist feature is designed to aid occupants in placing a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator if an accident that activates an air bag or the emergency fuel cutoff occurs. Unlike competitive systems that are routed through an intermediate call center, 911 Assist places the call directly to the 911 operator to speed response time.*

Safety comes standard

Fusion offers standard AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control, which uses sensors to detect, measure and help reduce side-to-side skidding conditions to help the driver keep the car tracking on its intended path.

Additional standard safety features include six air bags and Ford’s Personal Safety System®, BeltMinder® safety belt reminder, the LATCH anchor and tether system for child seats, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

*The cell phone or 911 Assist hardware may become damaged in a crash, the vehicle may lose battery power, or the cell phone may be thrown from the vehicle, which could prevent operation. Additionally, not all crashes deploy an airbag or activate the fuel pump shut-off, which are the criteria to initiate 911 Assist.

###

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 205,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

Photo from Flickr user R Doyle Bowman

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Tuning Parts for Your Audi

Many people choose to drive an Audi A3 on this account that they want a luxury car that is fun to drive. For more people a small and luxurious car is an oxymoron, but an Audi A3 driver knows wagerer. Quality isn’t always measured by largeness. As a person who values distinction you may also perceive the worth of luxury performance options and upgrades that didn’t come standard on your vehicle. There are more very exclusive Audi parts that can only be found through luxury car tuning websites. One precedent is the Vario Plus Control Module for the Audi A3.

The Vario Plus Control Modules during the Audi A3 are luxury tuning parts that add support for different engine configurations and versions. They can count up a division of functionality to your dashboard display through features that allow you to witness your battery voltage and oil temperature, see the time it takes to go from zero to sixty in substantive time and up to fifty other improvements and enhancements to existing functions and features. Sometimes the little things in the breath of one’s nostrils are those making a huge dispute, of the like kind as allowing you to choose betwixt two and six comfort blinks when making a turn for example. These little adjustments help to personalize your A3 driving experience and luxury car parts make the difference.

Finding the right luxury car tuning parts for your car can sometimes be challenging, but i am doubtless you already know that. Some of the more unique car parts like the Vario Plus Control Modules for the Audi A3 are only available at one particular website, otherwise than that once you find that website you will have no trouble in having these gigantic car talents shipped perpendicular to your door. It is no doubt you will be surprised to see in what manner little the price is for something that gives you so many unique functions and features. If you celebrate your individuality, shouldn’t subsist your car as unique as you are?

Driving a animalism car like the Audi A3 is meant to be a pleasurable experience so why not spice it up a atom more? While finding luxury Audi parts may have been challenging in the past finding the right website will change all of that. Many Luxury car tuning parts will give you the enhanced driving experience you desire without having to break into your piggy bank. There are in this way few true pleasures in life these days and even fewer that have no wicked consequences. Driving is one pleasure you can still enjoy so long as you are driving your customized Audi.

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2010 Subaru Outback Debut at NYC

Subaru of America, Inc. introduced the all-new 2010 Subaru Outback® at the New York International Auto Show today.

The fourth-generation of the World’s First Sport Utility Wagon® is a roomier and more capable interpretation of the vehicle that launched the crossover trend 15 years ago.

Distinguished by bolder and crisper styling, the all-new 2010 Subaru Outback delivers enhanced performance, comfort and frugality with the introduction of an all-new chassis and the new Subaru Lineartronic™ CVT (continuously variable transmission). Capability is enhanced with a segment-first swing-out roof rail and crossbar design and every improved 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The all-new 2010 Subaru Outback is smart-sized compared to other crossover vehicles, featuring mid-size interior volume in an easy-to-maneuver and off-road capable wagon body. Subaru engineers have increased interior volume by towards 8 percent in a package that is actually shorter than the outgoing standard.

The wheelbase has been increased by 2.8 inches and improves rear seat legroom by almost 4 inches. A new rear double wishbone suspension improves chassis dynamics and rear cargo space.

The 2010 Outback is 2 inches wider to improve passenger comfort, has more headroom and is more fuel efficient than the outgoing model.

Building on the tremendous success of previous Outback models, the 2010 Outback caters to a wide variety of customer tastes and needs. The Outback line for 2010 will include three 2.5i models powered by the agency of a revised 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine. The efficient Outback 2.5i models offer a newly come type 6-speed manual transferrence, or the available Lineartronic™ CVT. Both transmissions help to mend acceleration, response and fuel economy.

Three recently made known range-topping Outback 3.6R models are powered by a new 256-hp 3.6-liter 6-cylinder Boxer implement teamed with a 5-speed electronic automatic transmittal. Compared to the 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine it replaces, the greater degree of powerful 3.6 has the like external size and uses regular-grade fuel, somewhat than premium as the 3.0 required.

Subaru is the only company that features Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment forward every vehicle in its product line. This invaluable performance and safety-enhancing system distinguishes the Outback from crossover competitors, which generally present aggregate wheel drive for the reason that an extra-cost choice. The 2010 Outback model line employs three different versions of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, each tailored to the specific engine and transmission.

Bold New Design and New Level of Interior Comfort
The 2010 Outback, while still clearly related to its predecessors, marks a departure in design regarding a unaccustomed, bolder look. The new Outback blends a sophisticated crossover design through SUV details. The upright grille features the Subaru circular badge and wing mean for the reason that the focal point and is offset by dramatic hawk-eye headlamps. The new functional molded lower valence and side skirts hint at the Outback’s improved brains and are more durable with regard to off-road adventures.

The 2010 Outback also has a greater road presence with a wider track and forcible wheel arches. Ground clearance on the new model has been increased to 8.7 inches. As a new characteristic of the Outback, the D-pillars throw out a powerful SUV-like presence. The taillamps intermingle into the rear hatch, which highlights the more clearly defined beltline.

The 2010 Outback interior is not only more spacious, but takes some other step up in refinement from an already-praised design in the previous model. The four-dial instrument panel is augmented in all Outback models by a multi-information display with trip computer located in the center of the dashboard. Richer looking appointments and details be very prevalent, including a new 3-spoke steering wheel. A new electronic parking brake (with electronic Hill Holder System) eliminates the traditional parking jungle feel of, freeing up space in the center console.
Seat comfort, long a Subaru strong point, is more distant enhanced in the 2010 Outback with new front and rear seat designs. The rear seat includes a new repose feature. The front seatback shape provides additional rear-seat knee room, and the front-seat cushion design allows more rear-seat foot room.

Right-Sized for the Times
The original Outback established a template for the many competitive crossover models that followed, and the new-generation 2010 Outback further strengthens the melding of passenger car and SUV attributes that today’s crossover shoppers seek.

Built on an all-new platform, the 2010 Outback showcases Subaru’s mastery of conveyance packaging efficiency. A 2.8 inch longer wheelbase, now 107.9 inches, contributes to a smoother ride and increased interior space. Total itinerant room is increased by 8 cubic feet, now 105.4 cu. ft., and maximum cargo capacity (with the standard 65/35 split rear seatbacks folded) is up by 6 cubic feet to 71.3 cu. ft. The Outback also features a rear cargo area that is deeper and wider than in many small SUVs and easier to access through its wide cleft rear hatchway-grating.

Rear seat legroom is increased by dint of. nearly 4 inches to 37.8 inches. With a 2.0-in. increase in medium width, the 2010 Outback offers greater haunch room (+3.5 inches in front, +1.3 in. in back) and shoulder room (+1.9-in. front, +2.4-in. in back).

Remarkably, the roomier 2010 Outback is almost one inch shorter than the previous model, debt to reduced front and rear overhang dimensions. The new Outback is also four inches taller than the previous model, increasing headroom and cargo area height. The new packaging thus preserves the maneuverability, agility and parking ease that Outback customers highly value.

Surefooted Handling and Safety for any Road or any Weather
The new Subaru Outback improves crash-worthiness and provides a stiffer platform that makes for a smoother, quieter ride – still with crisp handling. Outback customers have long valued the way Outback models have balanced comfort with capability, and the 2010 Outback improves on both. Reduced front and rear overhang dimensions, combined with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, help enhance Outback’session off-pavement maneuverability.

All Outback models for 2010 are equipped as standard with Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), which combines stability and drawing control capability. The all-new electronic Hill Holder System holds the vehicle in establish in office until the driver applies the throttle to pull at a distance from a stop. Previous systems held the car in place on the side of only a few seconds.

MacPherson-type strut forward part delay is mounted to a new weapon cradle, and the engine is attached to the cradle using new hydraulic mounts. The new cradle is designed to also enhance crash-worthiness in front. A new double-wishbone rear suspension, mounted to a sub scheme, replaces the previous multi-link figure to provide improved ride and handling. The enhancement of body rigor and the new suspension meaning help to reduce levels of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). Increased wheel travel and optimized suspension geometry improve ride comfort.

All 2010 Outback models are equipped with a scale 4-wheel disc Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Brake Assist safety system is also useful on all models. Significantly, the stiffer body construction and new suspension combined with higher indirect view tire ( 215/70R16 on base Outback 2.5i) yields a more comfortable ride independently of sacrificing handling briskness. Models with 17-in. wheels furthermore benefit from a higher-profile tire size, 225/60R17 compared to 225/55R17 used before.

Efficient New Powertrains
The 2010 Outback 2.5i models are powered by a revised 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine, teamed for the first time to a recent 6-speed manual transmission or the available new Lineartronic™ CVT. The CVT is standard in the Outback 2.5i Limited, in which place it is besides equipped with a manual mode and steering wheel paddle shifters.

The 2.5-liter engine, which is also available as PZEV-certified, is modified for 2010 to improve exhibition, driveability, and economy. The engine delivers 170 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque @ 4,000 rpm. The i-Active Valve Lift System (AVLS) ensures a wide torque curve and palliate response at all engine speeds, while also helping to improve fuel efficiency. All Outback models for 2010 feature a larger fuel tank, after this 18.5 gallons vs. 16.9.

Whether teamed to the new 6-speed hand-book transmission or the Lineartronic™ CVT, the roomier 2010 Outback provides quicker acceleration and lower firing consumption than comparable 2009 Outback models. Either transmission helps make the Outback 2.5i models more answering in everyday driving.

Subaru has adopted a chain-type CVT, the world’session first longitudinally mounted CVT rule for AWD production vehicles. It employs smaller pulley cores, which helps make the unit other thing compact and can help provide better fuel efficiency compared to belt-type CVTs. Unlike a conventional automatic transmission, which uses fixed gear ratios, a CVT provides infinite variability between the highest and lowest available ratios with no discernable steps or shifts.

The CVT smoothly adapts to performance demand, helping to keep the engine in its most efficient operating range. Because a CVT does not “shift” gears, the driver enjoys smoother completion in all driving situations. The manual mode of the Subaru Lineartronic™ CVT offers the driver a more engaging driving actual trial by operating through six pre-selected steps. The driver can “veer” manually using steering wheel paddle controls.

New 3.6-liter H6 Engine: Premium Performance with Regular-Grade Fuel
The 3.6-liter H6 weapon replaces the foregoing 3.0-liter H6, yet features the same external amplitude expressions of gratitude primarily to a unique shortened connecting rod design. As a result, the new, more powerful engine maintains its excellent low center of gravity. The 3.6 Boxer instrument produces 256 horsepower and 247 lb.-ft. of peak torque, compared to 245 hp and 215 lb.-ft. of torque for the previous 3.0-liter engine. Active Valve Control System (AVCS) variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust valves optimizes power delivery across the engine’s speed range while helping to reduce emissions.

Not only does the 3.6-liter instrument produce more horsepower and torque than the 3.0-liter unit, but does so using regular-grade fuel compared to premium required in the 3.0 engine. The specially tuned five-speed automatic transmission, combined with the greater torque output of the 3.6 engine, helps ascertain by enumeration the Outback 3.6R models added responsive.

New Level of Comfort and Convenience in All Models
Standard comfort and advantageous luxury are increased across the Outback line as antidote to 2010. The inferior 2.5i pattern, for example, features standard steering wheel audio and cruise control buttons, a new electronic parking brake with electronic Hill Holder System, automatic lights-on function and auxiliary input audio jack. A standard multi-function display with onboard computer provides readouts beneficial to mileage/range and on the surface temperature.

Underscoring its versatility and watchfulness to detail, the 2010 Outback comes standard with an innovative new roof rack system. Its integral crossbars hang loose into position only when needed. Stowing the crossbars in the roof rails when they’re not needed helps to reduce a potential source of wind din.

Outback Premium models add to a greater degree amenities and offer additional comfort and convenience options, including a harman-kardon® audio system, a power moonroof, and the All-Weather Package that adds heated front rank seats and mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer. The Outback Limited models feature leather upholstery, a dual clime automatic climate control system, and a 4-way power wayfarer seat. Limited models also exclusively offer an available voice-activated GPS navigation system with backup camera, hands-free Bluetooth® connectivity and streaming Bluetooth audio.

The 2010 Outback models include as standard equipment front seat side impact air bags and verge curtain air bags that offer additional head protection for front and rear occupants.

Intelligent dual-stage deployment front air bags use sensors to detect the presence and weight of a front passenger and also the driver’s distance from the steering wheel. The system determines encounter air sack deployment strength for optimal occupant protection.

New in the 2010 Outback, high-strength assurance seat frames provide enhanced protection against whiplash injury in a rear-end collision. With the entire seat optimized instead of a rear-end collision, Subaru replaced the previous diligently employed front head restraints with a else comfortable design.

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive A Key to Brand Identity
Subaru offers three different Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive systems in the 2010 Outback one twelfth of an inch, each one tailored to the engine and type of transmission. In Outback 2.5i models equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission, the system uses a viscous-coupling locking center differential to distribute influence 50/50 front to rear. Slippage at either set of wheels will send more power to the adverse set.

Outback 2.5i models equipped with the Lineartronic™ CVT use an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch to actively control monarch distribution in response to driving conditions.

Outback 3.6R models use advanced Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) All-Wheel Drive through a 5-speed electronic self-moving transmission. A planetary center differential works with one electronically controlled continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch to manage power distribution. The VTD system normally sends more cogency to the rear wheels to enhance handling agility, and it continuously adjusts power distribution in response to driving and road conditions.

2010 Subaru Outback Gallery

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Bentley Arrives In Baku, Azerbaijan

I swear, the stuff that lands on your desk when you’re a professional automotive journalist. Case in point, a news item from Bentley titled “Bentley arrives in Baku, Azerbaijan”. OK, I’ll bite, why would Bentley, or any other car manufacturer want to set up shop in a place like Azerbaijan? And even more intriguing, how many people in Baku want to buy a Bentley?

My first thought was “Is this some sort of joke? Where’s Borat?” Yeah, I know, Borat Sagdiyev was supposedly from Kazakhstan, but that’s right next door, and at first I couldn’t get the image out of my mind of some Sacha Cohen character blundering into the shiny new Bentley office and trying to trade his sister or a couple of sheep for a new Bentley Continental R. Then that cleared. Azerbaijan isn’t THAT crazy, or not nearly as backward as portrayed in various movies. There must be some sort of a market for very highly priced luxo-barges in Baku, right? Sure, why not.

So to get some background, I swing by Wikipedia, and right off the bat, it has this to say:

” The name Baku is widely believed to be derived from the old Persian names of the city Bad-kube, meaning “Wind-pounded city”, in which bad means “wind” and kube is rooted in the verb kubidan, “to pound”, thus referring to a place where wind is strong and pounding.”

After I stop laughing and struggle to not edit that sort of writing, Baku doesn’t sound like that bad of a place. There’s tons of universities there, has a population about the size of metro Cincinnati, is pretty warm and dry … it’s just on the other side of the planet, and doesn’t seem like the sort of place to support a Bentley franchise.

“Bentley Baku will soon become the latest dealership in the company’s worldwide network, proof of the growing appeal of the powerful, hand-crafted luxury cars made in Crewe, England,” gushed Bentley in their press handout. Yes, yes, we’re sure that more people like your cars today than they did 20 years ago, but Azerbaijan?

They are planning on opening up shop November 2009 on Neftchilar Avenue, Port Baku, and according to Michael Mayer, Regional Director for Europe and UK of Bentley Motors, “The appeal of the Bentley brand now extends far beyond the company’s traditional markets. The power, performance and luxury of our models, in particular the Continental family, attract a new breed of entrepreneurs in fast-developing economies such as Azerbaijan.”

Indeed, and Bentley is working with an outfit called Pasha Holding (creative name, that) whose other businesses are “pharmaceuticals, construction, travel, banking, insurance and restaurants.”

Why do I get the feeling that Pasha Holding is one guy, and this is his way of getting a Bentley?

Here’s Bentley’s presser:

Bentley arrives in Baku, Azerbaijan

Crewe / Baku, 7 April 2009 … By handing over a letter of intent to Emin Asgarov of Azerbaijan’s Pasha Holding, Michael Mayer, Regional Director for Europe and UK of Bentley Motors, signalled the imminent arrival of a Bentley dealership in Baku, Azerbaijan. Bentley Baku will soon become the latest dealership in the company’s worldwide network, proof of the growing appeal of the powerful, hand-crafted luxury cars made in Crewe, England.

Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a thriving port on the Caspian Sea at the heart of Azerbaijan’s oil industry. The new Bentley Baku dealership will be operated by Pasha Holding with the official opening in Neftchilar Avenue, Port Baku scheduled for November 2009.

Welcoming Bentley’s partnership with Pasha Holding, Michael Mayer commented: “The appeal of the Bentley brand now extends far beyond the company’s traditional markets. The power, performance and luxury of our models, in particular the Continental family, attract a new breed of entrepreneurs in fast-developing economies such as Azerbaijan. We are fortunate to be working with Pasha Holding, whose broad-based network, financial strength and excellent understanding of the Bentley brand makes them ideal partners.”

Pasha Holding’s other business interests encompass pharmaceuticals, construction, travel, banking, insurance and restaurants.

Photo from Flickr user jorbasa

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IIHS debuts new roof strength crash test, small SUVs rated first

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety isn’t waiting around for the federal government to enact tougher roof strength standards for passenger vehicles. The IIHS has created its own new category of roof strength standards that requires a strength-to-weight ratio of 4 times a vehicle’s weight to earn the highest rating of good. Federal standards are currently 1.5 times a vehicle’s weight, with a proposed increase to 2.5 times still pending.

The IIHS used a batch of 12 small SUV/CUVs as guinea pigs for the new standard, and only four were rated good: the Volkswagen Tiguan, Subaru Forester, Honda Element and Jeep Patriot. The Suzuki Grand Vitara, Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue and Mitsubishi Outlander were rated acceptable with strength-to-weight ratios of at least 3.25. The Honda CR-V and Ford Escape achieved a marginal rating with scores of at least 2.5 and the Kia Sportage was rated Poor with a score below 2.5.

The IIHS roof strength crash test is conducted by pushing a metal plate at constant speed against one side of a vehicle’s roof. In order to earn a good rating, a vehicle’s roof must withstand a force of 4 times the vehicle’s weight before reaching 5 inches of crush. Earning the roof strength test’s highest rating will also be a new requirement for the Institute’s Top Safety Pick awards. As a result, the list of winners for 2010 will likely be much smaller than last year’s. Eight of the small SUV/CUVs tested by the IIHS were previous Top Safety Picks, but only three would earn the award with these new standards.

Gallery: IIHS Roof Strength Crash Tests

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

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Buying A High Performance Used Car?

There are many people who love to drive a high performance car just for the thrill of enjoying the driving experience that is associated with it. These high performance cars which run in high speed are also defined as sports cars.These sports cars are high on cost and insurance which means that not many people can afford to buy and maintain a sports car.The only substitute available for these highly expensive beauties is to buy a used sports car for sale.

Before buying a used sports car it is important that you enlist the things that you wish the car to have and your total budget. This is essential as whenever we think about buying a car we always have a picture of a new car in mind. It is important that when we are buying pre used cars we buy the best quality and high performance car in the stipulated budget.

It is very important that when you are buying a secondhand car, you need to perform a various checks even if it is a branded GMC cars for sale. You need to understand that these used cars do not come with warranties and is always available in the ‘AS IS WHERE IS’ state.

It is very important that you check four main areas of the car as you start the buying procedure. You should check the physical body of the car, engine, and the interiors and also check the blue book to get the records of any history of accidents or any major damage etc.

You should always invest your money in buying branded sports cars even though they are used. You can check out if used Daewoo cars for sale are available in the market as these sports cars are designed using a sturdy body and good spares.You can consult an expert to understand if the model that you intend to buy has an inherent problem. He will also assist you in your buying procedure by checking the mechanics of the car and offering his views about the future running of the car.

If you feel that the car has been refurbished to sell, you should be straight forward and ask the owner about the reason of concern and what was the problem that he was actually facing and what did he do to overcome it?

Once you get a brief idea about the different changes that has been done to the original model, you will understand whether the owner has made satisfactory changes and if it is worth putting all your hard earned investments in buying this car.You can take views from the expert and rely on your self conscious also. If the expert has a positive opinion but your self conscious does not permit you to buy the car, you should ideally look out for another car till you are fully convinced and satisfied.

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4 Score Well In SUV Rollover Test

Thousands of people die each year due to vehicle rollovers, a type of accident that is worsened in certain kinds of vehicles such as SUVs. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) — a private watchdog group funded by the insurance companies — recently tested for the first time one dozen small sport/utility vehicles to see how their roofs fared during a rollover, discovering that four performed “good” while two received a “poor” rating.

Tiguan Is Tops, Sportage Finishes Last

4 Score Well In SUV Rollover Test Topping the IIHS list were the VW Tiguan (best score), Jeep Patriot, Honda Element and the Subaru Forester. Faring poorly were the Hyundai Tucson and the Kia Sportage (worst score). Receiving an “acceptable” rating were the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue and Mitsubishi Outlander while the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, Honda CR-V and the Mazda Tribute were rated as “marginal.”

Although rollovers usually involve just three percent of all accidents, they represent approximately one-third of all deaths. Particularly vulnerable are passengers in high roof line vehicles such as SUVs, as these types of vehicles tend to fare very poorly in roof impacts.

The IIHS noted that vehicle roofs have gotten stronger over the past few years as car manufacturers have redesigned vehicles to withstand accidents involving impacts to their roofs. The IIHS awarded a “good” ranking to those vehicles which were more than twice as strong as the minimum federal safety standards required, with the top four vehicles tested having roofs that are 2.5 to 3.5 times stronger than the minimum federal safety standard for roof strength.

Building A Safer SUV

Both the VW Tiguan and Subaru Forester had previously finished at the top of front and side vehicle impact tests, demonstrating that building a safer sport/utility vehicle is possible.

The IIHS noted that while injuries and deaths involving rollovers can be limited with stronger roofs, they said that wearing seat belts is a must. In addition, electronic stability control significantly reduces rollovers while side curtain air bags can provide additional protection for passengers.

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