Important Seatbelt Safety Tips

In a study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the risk of injury or death to an individual jumped by nearly 50% if the passenger was not wearing a seat-belt. In addition, the study found that the U.S. spends nearly $18 billion a year in medical, insurance, and overhead costs due to injuries caused by collisions involving passengers and drivers without seatbelts.

Automotive safety systems have continuously improved since the invention of the passenger vehicle, but perhaps none have had as large of an impact as the seat belt. Seatbelts are arguably the most effective safety mechanism when it comes to protecting passengers in the event of a collision. In order for seat-belts to properly protect you and your loved ones, however, they must be used properly and regularly.

Seat-Belt Safety Tips

• Always wear your seatbelt, no matter what the conditions are outside. (Accidents can happen in mid-day with good weather as well as at night or during inclement weather).
• Seatbelts are only effective if worn in the proper manner. Shoulder-belts and lap belts should always be worn in the intended fashion.
• Be sure to inspect your seatbelts regularly for wear, tear, and mechanical malfunction.
• Seatbelts are made to restrain ONLY one person. Do not "double up" or share seatbelts.
• Airbags are significantly more effective in collisions if all occupants are wearing seat-belts. Seatbelts help ensure proper riding position in the event of a collision
• Despite urban myths regarding seatbelt use and pregnancy, pregnant women are encouraged to wear a seat belt every time they are in an automobile.
• Babies should be placed in a rear-facing child seat.
• Small children should be placed in a forward-facing child seat.
• Children aged 4-8 should use seat-belts and other child-restraint systems.
• It is wise to help elderly passengers to make sure their seatbelts are properly engaged.

It is important that drivers and passengers commit to wearing a seatbelt EVERY time they ride in a passenger vehicle. Many people falsely believe that short errands (like running to the store down the road) are safe enough excursions to warrant driving without restraint. Unfortunately, statistics show that most collisions occur within 25 miles of the individuals' home and usually involve speeds less than 40 miles per hour.

To learn more about seatbelt safety, visit the Madison personal injury lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. today.

Joseph Devine Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine

Hybrid Vans in the Future?

An increasing awareness of the impact that fossil fuels are having on the environment has forced manufacturers to seek alternative methods of powering all kinds of vehicles, including vans. Whilst the technology to create commercial vans that are entirely powered by 'green' fuels is still in its infancy, the hybrid vehicle is currently the market leader in environmentally friendly vehicle design.

Hybrid vans run on a combination of fuel and electricity technology, although with the advent of better battery design some manufacturers are now looking at producing commercially viable vans that run purely on battery power. Recent research into the charging time of standard batteries is producing some interesting developments in 'rapid charge' cells, but these are still a couple of years away from being an effective commercial option. So most manufacturers opt for the combination choice or even incorporate other fuels such as LPG (liquid petroleum gas) or natural gas into their hybrids. Those vans that incorporate fuel/electricity technology have the edge, though, as battery power does not directly emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gasses.

New design parameters are placing the drive battery under the van's flooring, which means that there is no loss of cargo area in the back of the van. This is an important consideration for logistics companies who want to maximise the use of space as efficiently as possible whilst still adhering to a greener transport policy.

The continuous action of stop/start traffic that most delivery vans find themselves trapped in on a daily basis is a major drain on the vehicle's fuel, so the larger capacity provided by hybrid technology can be of real benefit in congested, urban streets. The worst thing that can happen for any logistics company is for their vehicles to run out of fuel in the middle of a delivery run. By incorporating battery technology into commercial vehicles, the van has enough power stored in the battery to keep then running for longer. The driver dictates which mode they wish to drive in - either diesel or electric - at the touch of a button. With certain models once the van goes hybrid a control computer then manages the drive, letting the engine alternate with the electric motor in driving the van. Some other designs incorporate regenerative braking, using the wheels' momentum to act as a generator for the battery recharging function.

The amount of research and development being put into hybrid vans also includes a plethora of safety equipment, including innovations in crash prevention systems as well as the standard airbags and crumple protection zones. All of this can combine to make hybrid vans safer and consequently reduce the cost of both 'personal use' van insurance and commercial van insurance. With everyone looking to save money where they can in the current economic climate, any opportunity to acquire a vehicle that can offer cheap van insurance as well as being economically viable as a commercial vehicle and environmentally friendly at the same time has to be an attractive proposition. This, combined with a continuing emphasis into producing better and more efficient cars and vans means that hybrid vehicles have a great deal to offer and could change the way that logistics companies think about fleet management.

Julia Niven - One Van Insurance search a panel of the UK's leading van insurers to find you a great deal on your van insurance.

Whether you need van insurance for private or business use, our click and buy service means you can arrange your van insurance online in minutes! We offer fully comprehensive cover, third party, fire & theft and third party only cover. Visit our site and see what cheap van insurance deals we offer

Contacts:
For interviews, images or comments contact:
Julia Niven
Marketing Team
Email: julia.niven@brightsidegroup.co.uk

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Mini Classic Cars

The Mini owns a title worth of its form, as it is indeed very small. It was the creation of the British Motor Corporation (BMC), and throughout its history it also went on to be produced by Austin and Morris and had continuous production run of 41 years in total, from 1959 right up until late 2000. This is something that has been achieved by only a handful of other cars such as the VW Beetle and the Citroen 2CV. In 1999 the Mini was voted the 2nd most influential car of the 20th Century.

However, despite being manufactured up until recently it will always remain a throwback to the 1960's. Back then its front wheel drive design that provided its famous space saving layout was revolutionary, and if left 80% of the car free to be used for passengers and luggage, and this thinking influences car manufacturers to this day.

The standard Mini went almost unchanged for the entire 41 years it was in production, although there were a series of variations including a pickup truck, a van, the clubman estate, and the Mini Moke which actually looked more like a Jeep, but was recognisable as a Mini because it had similar physical dimensions and the classic grill and headlamp shape. There were also some high performance Mini's produced, namely the Mini Cooper and the Cooper S. The Cooper S was put forward as a rally car, and went on to win the Monte Carlo Rally four times from 1964 through to 1967, and this speaks for itself.

So what made the Mini so successful? When it was first released on the 26th August 1959, although it was praised by the media it took a while to take off. However, its popularity then rocketed and when production finally ended over 5.3 million Minis had been sold worldwide, making it the most popular British car ever made. But what enabled it to survive 41 years in production? This answer may lie behind the wheel, as the Mini had fantastic go-kart like handling despite being cheap to buy and cheap to run, something which is probably still unmatched today. It was also helped along after appearing in Box Office hits such as the Italian job, 101 Dalmatians, Monty Python's Flying Circus, A View to Kill and the Austin Powers Trilogy to name but a few, and of course it played a leading role in the classic series Mr. Bean.

Owners of such a car should use a special classic car insurance broker, and conduct a car insurance comparison online to find the best insurance quotes

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Coughlan

The New Chrysler Incentives?

Incentives are currently dominating the automotive industry. Most car companies and dealers are offering a range of unique incentives, including rebates, cash back, competitive rates for qualified buyers, and even the ability to return the vehicle without penalty. Chrysler, amid aggressive bankruptcy restructuring, is also looking forward to offering attractive incentives.

The big challenge for Chrysler is convincing consumers to buy a vehicle from a company that they know is in bankruptcy admits Chrysler Dallas dealers. The immediate way Chrysler plans to reverse this perception is by cutting prices on new Chrysler vehicles. Among the new incentive is a rebate of up to $6,000.

In addition to rebates, Chrysler will now offer $4,000 cash back on 2009 models. Chrysler is also offering $1,000 consumer loyalty for existing Chrysler drivers, as well as $1,000 for those financing through credit unions. With these discounts, Car Loans Chattanooga say that 2009 Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep models can be had at dramatically reduced prices. The only vehicles excluded from these offers are the Dodge Challenger, Sprinter van, and Viper sports car. Vehicles excluded from the consumer loyalty program include the Chrysler PT Cruiser & Sebring, Jeep Patriot & Wrangler, and Dodge Caliber & Avenger. Lastly, the Chrysler Aspen/Dodge Durango both are excluded from the credit union discount.

Economy conscious consumers want good deals these days. Luckily, the bad credit car loans Chicago specialists recommend that those who don't mind the stigma of buying a car from a bankrupt company, Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles can certainly be had for outstanding prices.

About the Author

Joe Kent is a writer for TK Carsites, an automotive website design and marketing firm in Orange, CA, that specializes in working with car dealers nationwide.

The 1957 Ferrari Racing Car

A rare 1957 Ferrari racing car has been sold in auction for record of 8 million pounds last weekend . And interestingly in these days of economic slow down the couple who had acquired the property chose to remain anonymous. They have gifted themselves a black Ferrari which has been till date the highest auctioned sell off. The buy has become a world record for the most expensive automobile ever sold at such auction.

The car that had been bought by the couple is a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and was described correctly as one of the most alluring racing Ferrari cars that one could possess. The car has bright red nose, sweeping black lines, huge headlights and other features that beguiled the buyer. The auction of the car took place on Sunday at Ferrari's factory and test circuit at Maranello. The place is situated in Northern Italy. The car really lives up to its name - Ferrari Leggenda e Passione. The hammer price of the car had been decided at 7.2 million pound but the 10% buyer's premium for the auction have pushed the total expense of the car to record books. The auction was organized by RM with Sotheby's and they have reportedly said that the price of the car bought was nearly 1.8 million pound more than the previous highest amount paid for such a car at an auction. The last record of the car bought at such huge price was set at the same event last year.

Max Girardo the RM managing director of Europe said, "The historical significance of this car attracted a bidding war as collectors from around the world - both in the room and on the telephone - competed to secure one of the most alluring ... Ferrari racing cars." The mystery couple has now one of the 22 pontoon fender model of Ferrari.

The car is not a general one. It had been a race winner and a powerful beast. This two seater Testa Rossa took part in 19 international championship races from the period 1958 to 1961 of which 10 were won by the car. When RM was asked about the buyer, it had declined to identify the buyer saying it against rules of auction. There were other fleets of cars too in the auction but not every lot in the auction could have been sold. There was 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 which was sold for 6.4 million pounds and the 1950 Maserati 250 F with Stirling Moss was offered for 1.3 million pound.

The auction had been a great event with the buy and RM was quick to take its pride to next level and said that their shows and auctions always attract and invite people of such taste who wish to possess such antique items for the sake of their originality and beauty. The 'pontoon fender' model is one such beautiful antique Ferrari car which any owner will take pride in.

http://www.JackZap.Com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Zapper

Top 5 Sports Car this 2009

Here are the top 5 Sports Car of this new generation. A new features and super high tech and very relaxing to drive.

1. 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
2. 2009 Pontiac G8
3. 2009 Mazda A6
4. 2009 Ford Mustang
5. 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The Best Classic Jaguar XK120

The Jaguar XK120 was first revealed to the public at the London Motor Show in 1948, and it reinvented the world of sports cars by providing a car with elegant curves, a fantastic chassis, and a remarkable price. It became the fastest production car at the time of launch, and was rivalled only by the V12 Ferrari which was 4 times the price.

This proved to be an unbeatable combination, and became a milestone for Jaguar whilst reviving the motor industry with much fanfare after the war. Interestingly, the XK120 was only really designed as test bed with which to show off the XK engine, but with orders flooding in Jaguar wasted no time and put the car into full production. Several versions were eventually released, with the Roadster version being a hit amongst Hollywood stars like Clark Gable. It is still a design classic today, and in 1999 the car featured in the box office hit Cruel Intentions, driven by Ryan Phillippe & Reese Witherspoon.

The XK120 was the creation of Sir William Lyons, aka "Mr. Jaguar", and was powered by the 3442cc power plant dubbed the XK engine, generating 160bhp, and the XK120 is so named as its top speed tipped 120mph. As expected it was a success on the track and was driven by some of motor sports biggest legends such as Stirling Moss and Ian Appleyard, and helped Jaguar win the Le Mans title on several occasions.

There are still a large number in circulation today, looking as they did when they first rolled off the production lines thanks to being a favourite amongst classic car enthusiasts and being lovingly restored. If you are interested in purchasing one, expect to pay in excess of £70000 for a prime example.

Owners of such a car should use a special classic car insurance broker, and conduct a car Insurance Comparison online to find the best deal

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Coughlan

The Nissan 300ZX

If you are considering to buy a fiberglass body kit for your Nissan 300ZX, you have to first make sure that you are well informed about fiberglass body kits. Fiberglass is composed of plastic resin and synthetic fibers which were altered and specifically engineered to withstand difficult scenarios. The bad thing that can come about a fiberglass kit lies with how it is utilized since fiberglass kits have varying levels of durability depending on the manufacturer.

It is actually not right to think that Fiberglass body kit parts can be as tough as metal mainly because other parts of their vehicle are metal made. It does not make any sense to lessen the weight of a car using a metal body kit. Even though fiberglass kits can reduce the weight of your vehicle, it still is prone to damages. Once you have bought yourself a Nissan 300ZX Fiberglass body kit, you have to make sure that you only drive it on smooth areas since it can be damaged easily.

Finding a Nissan Fiberglass 300ZX body kit is really easy. Aside from looking around your neighborhood, make sure that you also browse the internet. Not only does online shopping will save you more time and effort, it will also save you a lot of money you were supposed to spend on gas. But remember that even though online shopping is convenient, remember that it can be risky as well especially if you do not know what you are doing. Many have already been scammed and the best thing you can do is to protect yourself from being one of them. How can you protect yourself? Well, one thing you can do is phone Consumers Advocates Consumers Advocates should be able to tell you which companies are to be trusted and which companies are to be avoided. Once you have found a place or an online where you can purchase a Nissan Fiberglass 300ZX body kit, the next thing you will need to consider is how you are going to install it.

Installing your own Nissan Fiberglass 300ZX body kit should not be decided upon hastily. If you really don't know how to install it yourself and you are just trying, better if you just hire an expert. You might end up damaging your kit and waste a lot of money to get it repaired. Hiring an expert will make your job really easy. All you have to do is closely watch them while they transform your Nissan to a rock star vehicle!

ILoveBodyKits was created not to just provide excellent products to high clientele, but also to create a more personal relationship between the company and the consumer. Their knowledgeable staff will make the time to build a personal relationship with each customer so that all your requests and questions can be answered. Their representatives will help set up a ideal plan that will best fit our clienteles project. Companies who choose to open a business account with them will be provided with a personal representative of ILoveBodyKits who will help set up the account, and help with your every need in getting your order quickly and promptly.

About the Author

Louie Liu has been in the car aftermarket products industry for 5 years. He has specialized in body kits, headlights, cold air intakes and other aftermarket products. You can learn about a wide range of300ZX Body Kits at his site I love Body Kits.

Top 19 Cars Are Still Best Selling?

Do you know that this cars are still best sellers until this generation? Here are the top 19 Cars that are still best sellers.

19. Jaguar XKR
18. Chevrolet Tahoe
17. Lexus RX 330/300/350
16. Land Rover Range Rover Sport
15. Volvo C30
14. Jaguar XK
13. Jeep Wrangler
12. Hyundai Sonata
11. Land Rover LR2
10. Subaru Forester
10. Subaru Forester
8. Hyundai Veracruz
7. Ford Fusion
6. Hyundai Accent
5. Nissan 350Z/370Z
4. Audi A5/S5 Coupe
3. Nissan Maxima
2. Kia Amanti
1. Hyundai Tiburon

The Coolest Cars You've Never Heard Of

Here are the 10 of the Coolest Cars You've never Heard tell this year to the future.

1. Saleen S7
2. Spyker C8 Aileron
3. Fisker Karma
4. Mitsubishi iMiev
5. Roewe MGTF
6. SEAT Leon Style Ecomotive
7. Koenigsegg CCXR
8. Pininfarina Hyperion
9. Tramontana R
10. Leblanc Mirabeau

BMW Z4 the Most Beautiful Roadster on the Road

If your desire for fun outweighs practical needs a roadster could be the car for you - with the BMW Z4 one of the most eye-catching.

The BMW Z4 is one of the more intriguing sports cars currently available. It's known for its engaging handling and steering, thrilling inline six-cylinder engine and distinctive styling. Recent improvements have made the latest Z4 the best yet, and older models are still a very viable choice for a used sports car.

You know you like a car's looks when you get out, take a look back, walk away, and take another look. The BMW Z4 is one of those cars. It combines classic roadster looks with contemporary angles to create a very good-looking car

We drove the Sports trim model featuring a satisfyingly substantial three-spoke steering wheel which is good to hold. The gear knob and handbrake are well positioned for the Z4's low-down, sporty seating position. The speedometer and rev counter are easily visible through the spokes with audio and air-controls located in the neat, uncluttered central stack.

Both seats are comfortable and do not feel cramped. Cabin-space for objects is limited with meaningful storage combined to a vertical bay between the driver and passenger and small spaces behind the front seats.

BMW Z4 car is a joy to drive in town with sharp steering and a stiff chassis putting a smile on our faces within minutes of getting in the car.

BMW offers a choice of five petrol engines to power the Z4. We drove the 150bhp 2-litre model which boasts a 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds, and a top speed of 137mph.

The Z4 achieved a four star rating following EuroNCAP tests.

The BMW Z4 can hold its head high when planted next to any roadster.

Find BMW Z4 car news, reviews, pictures and videos. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Qamar-ur_Rehman

The 1987 Ford F-150

Motor vehicle defect attorneys will admit that the 1987 Ford F-150 poses serious fire dangers when involved in a car collision. In 1995, a 24-year-old landscape foreman was driving his 1987 Ford F-150 truck on Route 97 in Maryland. When another truck crossed the center line and collided with the truck, the F-150 burst into flames. The man was trapped inside and conscious for several minutes as bystanders tried to free him. He subsequently suffered third-degree burns over 65 percent of his body and lost his right arm and right leg. His medical bills totaled $1.4 million, and he expects his future medical expenses to be in the millions of dollars.

The foreman driving the F-150 truck filed suit against Ford, his auto product liability attorney alleging that design problems--specifically the lack of an anti-siphoning device--in the1987 F-150 pickup allowed gasoline to pour out of the tank after the car collision and fuel the fire. His product liability attorney further alleged that the F-150's seat belt was defective because it would not open after the impact, thus trapping the foremen in a burning vehicle.

In a post-crash vehicle fire, a critically important defect is gas tank siphoning. Sparks from the cars electrical components, metal scraping metal on metal scraping roadway can ignite the siphoned fuel. Most cars manufactured after the early 1980s have three fuel lines: supply, return, and vapor lines. Siphoning occurs most often in the return line or supply line. It can be prevented in many cases by a variety of simple, inexpensive safety valves that were available years before the 1987 F-150 truck was manufactured. Ford documents from as early as the 1970s discuss the various checks or shutoff valves that would remedy this potential hazard.

Ford's experts testified that the F-150's fire was fed by brake fluid, not gasoline, and that a check valve would not have prevented the foreman's personal injuries. Experts countered, claiming the fire was fed by 12 to 16 gallons of gasoline.

This is another example where an inexpensive part could have saved both plaintiff and defendant a lot of suffering and expense. In this case, a $1 part that was installed in other cars might have prevented gasoline from spilling out, horribly burning and permanently maiming a young man. It also could have saved Ford millions of dollars.

After a four-week trial, a Baltimore jury awarded the foreman over $26 million in damages. This included $15 million in non-economic damages, which was reduced by the Court to $500,000, the maximum apparently allowed under Maryland law. The award was one of the largest in Maryland's history. The foreman plans to use the money to continue therapy and obtain artificial limbs.

Ford insisted that the product defect allegations lacked merit and that the jury was swayed by overwhelming sympathy for injured victim and the personal injuries he sustained.

In choosing to leave out a $1 part that other vehicles had wisely incorporated, Ford jeopardized the safety of its customers. The foreman's action in taking Ford to court clearly shows how our justice system works to compensate those who have been needlessly injured. The jury's award is America's message to Ford that their failure to act was not acceptable. Hopefully, this lawsuit will help convince Ford to respond effectively to known safety defects to prevent further serious personal injuries.

We extend our sincerest sympathies to the injured foremen for all the pain and personal injuries he has suffered. We wish him well.

Since their founding in 1978, Bisnar Chase lawyers have represented over four thousand people in car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian and other personal injury cases. The law firm has an "AV" rating, the highest level of professional excellence, by Martindale-Hubble. John Bisnar, who is the author of this article, and his partner Brian Chase each have a "10" Avvo rating, the highest possible. John was named a "Community Hero" by the United Way, while Brian was named a "Trial Lawyer of the Year" in 2004 and one of the 2007 Top 100 Trial Lawyers. More important than all their top ratings and awards are the testimonials their clients bestow on them. Aren't these the type of guys you want representing you? For more information on motor vehicle defect attorneys, visit the Bisnar Chase web site at http://www.bestattorney.com or call 1-800-561-4887.

Copyright 2009 Bisnar Chase LLP. All Rights Reserved

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J._Bisnar

Foundations and Performance of Pontiac Car

Pontiac is a division of General Motors that was introduced in 1926. General Motors wanted Pontiac as another division separate for the Oakland Motor Car line that it had previously introduced. The name Pontiac was chosen for a Native American that fought against the British during the French and Indian War. While General Motors had introduced the Pontiac line to supplement Oakland Line up, the Pontiac was so successful when it was introduced that it completely eclipsed its parent line, Oakland. Pontiac sales rose sharply at the same time that sales of Oakland cars were declining. The gap was so pronounced in fact that Pontiac became the only companion line ever introduced to survive its parent company.

The Pontiac Chieftain was introduced in 1927 and immediately began outselling other cars in its class. In its first six months of production, the vehicle sold 39,000 units. The car was so popular because it was priced so low. The Chieftain was the cheapest selling vehicle with the inline 8 engine in the country and quickly became the top selling car in the United States. Pontiac held on to its spot from its days during the depression through until the post world war 2 days. It carried with it an image of a solid reliable if somewhat underpowered vehicle that fit very well into the budget of most American families at that time.

Unfortunately, it was this same imagine of reliance and dependability that would cause a problem for the line heading into the fifties and on into the sixties. The newer generation of young, up and coming citizens would view Pontiac as the old-fashioned car that had belonged to their parents. This generation wanted a vehicle that was new and fresh looking as themselves.

What Pontiac needed was a makeover and in 1956, the former dowdy line of cars got just what it needed. Bunkie Knudsen took over as the General Manager for Pontiac and went to work immediately on updating Pontiac's image. First to go were the hallmarks of the Pontiac line, the "silver streaks" that had been on the hoods of every Pontiac for years. With Knudsen joining in the middle of 1956, the immediate change would take place just a short time before the '57 models were rolled out on to the showroom floors. Knudsen was also responsible for the introduction of the Bonneville, Pontiacs first fuel injected car. With a completely new design form and offering many first time features, the Bonneville was priced at over $5700.00. For this price, one could go and pick up a new Cadillac and many of the Bonneville's critics expected to go over like a lead balloon. However, the public was intrigued with the new styling of the Bonneville, just as Knudsen had foreseen they would be. The car stirred the interest of consumers who had grown bored with all the look alike cars on the market at that time. The Bonneville was so successful in fact that it became its own line.

The Bonneville became one of the cornerstones of the Pontiac line up. It did receive help from some of the other popular cars that Pontiac introduced over the years such as the GTO and Pontiac's first pony car, the Firebird.

About the Author

Ronnie Tanner is a contributing writer at used Pontiac engines. He writes about used Pontiac engines and other industry specific topics.

Best Aston Martin Car Show

Aston Martin is a luxury sports car manufactured in Britain. The car company derived its name from the two founders, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. In 1913, Martin and Bamford decided to make their own car. By 1920, Bamford had left and Aston revitalized the company. The initial cars were all developed to compete on the racing circuit in Europe. The cars were known as the Bertelli cars in the 20s and 30s and included the 1 ½ liter T type the international.

The company struggled financially and stopped car production during the 2nd World War.
After the war, under new leadership of David Brown, the company regained it elite status both on the racing circuit and with consumers. In the 50s, the DB cars were produced for racing and the company had developed a solid track record of success.

In the 70s and 80s, again the company ran into financial trouble and worldwide the sales were diminished. The 80s saw more restructuring and the company was bought by Victor Gauntlet. Gauntlet again revived fame for Aston Martin by supplying the car for the James Bond movies. This was followed by more dealing with Ford who finally took over the company in 1994. During this time period, the DB 7 and the V12 vantage models were produced.

In 2003 Aston Martin released the AMV 8 Vantage Concept car. The vantage had a V8 engine to compete with the large American cars. AM has returned back to the sporting world. Despite all the success, Aston Martin has always struggled financially. In 2007, the corporation was again sold to David Richards and a number of other investors. Today, there are dealerships in China and in 2008, it revealed the Lagonda Marquee. The global economic downturn has not left Aston Martin unscathed. At the end of last year, the company had to lay off more than 1/3rd of its workforce and more are planned for the coming year.

Learn more about Aston Martin at http://www.eurorennen.com and sign up for the Aston Martin Car Show

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Herskowitz

The Jeep Patriot 2009

The Jeep Patriot 2009 is a 5 passenger sports utility vihecles and has 4 door.
2.4 liter, 172 horsepower engine that achieves 23 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The Jeep Patriot 2009 is a carryover from 2008.

Meanwhile the Jeep Patriot 2009 4x4 has 2.4 liter, 172 horsepower engine that achieves 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on thw hghway.

A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.

Top 5 Latest Sports Utility Vihecles

This are the top 5 Latest Sports Utility Vihecles this year 2009.

1. 2009 Jeep Patriot
2. 2009 Nissan Rogue
3. 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
4. 2009 Honda CR-V
5. 2009 Vokswagen Tiguan

Best Bugatti Car Model

Bugatti, a legendary maker of high performance vehicles in Molsheim, France was established by a re-known Italian born car designer. It produced some of the most exclusive and fastest high end sports car between 1909 and the mid 1950s. It was largely a family based operation that failed to survive transition of its key founders. This is because it closed production in the fifties after some financial problems but it was bought out in the sixties for its high potential airplane business. Currently the Volkswagen group is the new owner of bugatti brand name that it uses to release limited edition high end sports cars.

The bugatti car models were known for their highly detailed designs and their elegant artistic outline. Some of the greatest achievements of bugatti during it hay days includes winning the first Monaco grand prix, Targa Florio, French grand prix, Italian grand prix, Spanish grand prix, German grand prix, Belgian grand prix, Czechoslovakia grand prix and topping it up by becoming number one during the 24 hour of Le mans race in 1937 and 1939. In terms of design, the engines received a hand built design with a fine tuned polished look. This ensured that its flat gaskets could work well without sealing and it could be wired safely with elaborate corded patterns. It also used fewer light weight but durable parts for its forged spring axels.

Some of the most notable car models that boosted the public opinion rating of bugatti include type 35 "royale", type 55 and type 57 "atlantic". During its extant, bugatti rolled out close to seven thousand cars but only two thousand of them can be currently accounted for when using the firm's re-known T (type) mark on the drive train and chassis. Other known bugatti prototypes include type 36; type 56 electric cars, type 64 coupes and type 73c. Bugatti also produced a few road model cars for the well off between 1910 to 1962 like the type 252 convertible 2 setter, and type 18 garros. It also produced race car edition that were on offer between 1910 and 1956 are type 32 tank and type 251.

Another landmark of the bugatti car model was in 1989 when its new owner Romano Artoili contracted car designers from Lamborghini and cauntach to produce the Bugatti EB110 sports car. However, this success was short lived as it closed production due to the economic recession of the mid 1990s. It was later acquired by Volkswagen AG in 1998 who commissioned production of the Bugatti EB118 touring sedan. This car was unveiled at the Paris auto show during the same year. It featured the first passenger car18 cylinder engine that had a horse power of 555. This model was followed by newer versions of Bugatti 18/8 Chiron and Bugatti EB 16/4 Veyron.

The next generation of bugatti was launched in 2000 it had a 1001 horse power engine driven by 16 turbo charged cylinders with top speeds of 407 kilometers per hour and acceleration from 1 to 100 kilometers per hour in less than 2.5 seconds. The bugatti car model has evolved over years getting even better with contemporary designs put in place.

Find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit us today for money-saving tips and receive free auto insurance quotes for the cheapest insurance rates from respected insurance companies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Levi_Quinn

The Classic Duesenberg Car

The first Dursenberg sports car was built by two self taught German born engineers in 1913 using the Duesenberg Automobile & company Inc brand name in Des Moines, Iowa USA. This hand built cars were in the league of the most desirable sports cars when they were introduced. In fact, the Dursenberg car won a number of races that includes the Indianapolis 500 and the French grand prix between 1921 and 1927. Even though this classic car model was a marvel during its hay days, it failed the mass production test because the company had no profitable sales volume so it became bankrupt and closed up.

The classic Dursenberg was later bought out by Auburn Automobile Company among many others who used the advanced Dursenberg Brothers engineering know how to produce several luxury sport cars using the Dursenberg brand name. The model J was the first Dursenberg luxury car design to be rolled out after it was bought out. It was released during the 1928 New York car show. This vehicle model had all the markings of a high-end luxury sports car. It boasted of unheard top speeds of 119 miles per hour with high gear acceleration rates that could shoot to 94 mph when moved to gear two. Beside that, it had a supercharged 256 horsepower engine that supported eight straight dual camshaft overheads.

However, while the engine work was done by Dursenberg all the bodywork was subcontracted to specialized car chassis builders form North America and Europe who gave the Dursenberg luxury car its elegant finish. The chassis value when adjusted for time plus inflation in 2004 went for 8500 dollars with the complete model going for 13000 dollars. However, users had to get a top of the range Duesenberg model for $20,000. Between 1913 and 1927, before the original company went bankrupt, the Duesenberg luxury sports car brand manufacturers presented model A and X. But after Cord Corporation bought it out in 1929, it released sports cars under the model J series until 1937 when they started getting fazed out of the market gradually.

Another notable achievement in the history of this classic high-end luxury car was in 1932 when the Duesenberg SJ model was launched. A three hundred and twenty five supercharged horsepower engine that could achieve high speeds of close to one hundred and thirty five miles per hour powered this classic sports car. With this new sports car edition, the Duesenberg vehicle became a household name across America among the rich and famous. Some of the most prominent individuals of that era who are known to have owned or driven the Duesenberg SJ model include the Duke of Windsor and Clark Gable.

However, this success story of Duesenberg did not last beyond 1937. This is largely because production of this luxury car ceased when the business empire of their new owners was burst with the worldwide economic depression of 1930s. Currently, only 481 Duesenberg model J and SJ can still be traced with auction values of $2 million and beyond.

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The New Honda CRZ

The Honda CRZ is an impressive car in the line-up of Honda, and the abbreviation CRZ, refers to Compact Renaissance Zero. It is a hybrid gasoline electric automobile, which was planned and developed for production by the Japanese automaker Honda. The body style of the car is hatchback. Initially CRZ was released as a concept car by CEO of Honda Takeo Fukui on 23rd of October, 2007 at the Tokyo Auto Show held in 2007. Later on, Fukui announced that a production model is under progress and the car is meant to be incredibly efficient, cheap and sporty. Honda CRZ was first produced in America at the Detroit North American International Auto Show held in 2008. It uses the Integrated Motor Assist System of Honda.

Two hybrid concept cars were introduced after the production of CRZ. One is Honda Remix, which was released at the Los Angeles Motor Show held in 2006. The other one was the Honda Small Hybrid Sports, which was released at the Geneva Motor Show held in 2007. The CRZ with four seats is considered as the spiritual heir to the second generation of Honda CRX in both design and name.

According to the reports of Automotive News Europe, Honda plans to flatten the production of CRZ in the year 2009 or 2010, initially in Europe, before elaborating the distribution and production to other nations of the world. The approximate cost of the Honda CRZ is 25,000 Euros and primarily pitched to the markets of Europe. The cost of the car will be 28,000 Euros along with higher trim models. Due to the importance of Honda CRZ on the continent of Europe, Mark Turner of Honda UK says that there will be a lot of influence by Europe on the final stage of design of the car.

Many reports made by Edmunds inside-line suggest that the arrival of Honda CRZ in North America will be after the launch of Honda Insight in the early times of 2009, which is a hybrid vehicle with five doors. Confirmation about the production of Honda CRZ was granted at the 2008 end of the year speech, which was given by Takeo Fukui. From the speech the production of CRZ will be started by the end of the year 2010. After the production of the car, it will become a model which provides a new value of the joy of driving, which can be provided only by a hybrid vehicle.

Jeff Ryan creates quality articles to help you learn more on interest(s) you may have.

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The Evolution of the Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Mitsubishi Eclipse made its debut in 1990. The new car was a brainchild of an alliance between Chrysler and Mitsubishi. These companies had joined to form Diamond Star Motors.

The car itself was not a brand new design but rather a new spin on a car that had already appeared under several other names. The twins to the Eclipse are known to the general population as the Eagle Talon and the Plymouth Laser, however due to some slight design changes and heavier advertising, it was the Mitsubishi Eclipse that would prove to be the most popular of the three. The all three versions of the vehicle would be produced at the same plant in Illinois and all were introduced at the same time.

The design of the Mitsubishi Eclipse has been a popular one with younger consumers as it was intended to compete as entry-level sports coupe. The Eclipse itself was originally offered with four different packages. The car is a study in smooth lines, upscale interior and powerful engines all the while retaining the affordability that makes it within reach of up and coming twenty something's. By remaining true to the original style lines that have made the car so popular, Mitsubishi has been able to retain its hold on this portion of the sports coupe market.

Named after a racehorse from the eighteenth century that won an astounding 26 races in one year, the sports car has eclipsed most other vehicles in its class.

The original two versions of the car were kept very similar to hold down design costs and indeed most parts from these first generations are interchangeable. They are easily identifiable by their pop up headlights, a design that lends sleekness to the cars lines but have a tendency to show problems with the motor responsible for opening the headlights. Although most cars today have converted over to front wheel drive, the Eclipse has not. It has instead retained a rear wheel drive system that has proven to be reliable and needs very little repair. It has been suggested that Japanese auto makers had long been seeking to create their own version of the pony car and indeed many feel that with this Mitsubishi sports coupe that goal has been reached.

There have been several technological changes to the cars and several additions to body styles. 1996 saw the first major body style changes. Popularity of the vehicle slipped somewhat and many felt this was due a key body change. The 1996 version was shorter and thicker leading some to predict that this particular version of the Eclipse would be its last. The chief complaint seemed to be that long lean lines of its predecessor were lost. Although it would take some time, Mitsubishi heeded the call of consumers and by the year 2000, the sports car once again had longer lines that are more curvaceous.

From 2000 through 2005, the car would retain the hatchback style. Although there had been some talk among executives of dropping the manual transmission and offering the car solely as an automatic, this never materialized and all trim models continued to be offered with both five speed manual transmissions as well as a four speed automatic.

Although the sports coupe has received slight body style redesigns with added standard equipment, it remains virtually unchanged since 2006. The car still holds a firm share of sales for its division and the car should continue to be produced for several years into the future.

Ronnie Tanner is a contributing writer at Eclipse Car Tuner. He writes about mitsubishi car parts, used auto parts and other industry specific topics.

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Best Saab Car Show 2009

Saab is a Swedish Car, currently owned by General Motors well been known for its key elements being adaptation to technology, consumer safety and speed. Today, it is one of the few car companies which are also very eco friendly.

Saab started in 1937 as a passenger car. At that time the large car was deemed to be very gas inefficient because of the awkward exterior body and large engine. The car underwent extensive revisions over the next 20 years and by 1955, the 93 was quite popular in Scandinavia. This next generation continued to be clean, fuel efficient and had superb exterior design which attracted younger people. In the 80s, like all car companies Saab underwent severe financial crises and had several investors including GM. Losses continued all the way into the 90s.

The 900 and 9-5 models improved in sales but only at home. The major problem with Saab was that that this family car was slightly more expensive to buy and service. Consumers had many more choices of cars in the 90s and Saab suffered on the international market. On the rally circuit, the performance versions have always done well, but the cost of racing has limited its entrance into many Formula one series competitions.

Current models of Saab 9-3 and 9-5 are made in several countries including Germany and Sweden. The 9-7X SUV is being manufactured in Ohio but sales have been abysmal. Saab even tried to manufacture the Saab 9-2X in Japan but failed to compete with Japanese automakers and was discontinued.

In 2008, GM itself was undergoing downsizing and was on the brink of bankruptcy. Potential buyers for Saab include Tata or BMW, but all car manufacturers have been hit by the recession and the future of the company remains uncertain. Even though the Saab 9-4X is planned for 2009. The release dates are pending.

Learn more about Saab at http://www.eurorennen.com and sign up for the Saab Car Show

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Best Volvo Car Show 2009

The Volvo is a well known Swedish car company as founded in 1927 and today is a leading supplier of trucks, buses, construction equipment and aerospace components. Volvo meaning "I roll" has done remarkably well for an expensive car. The first cars produced in 1927 were for domestic use and did not fare well. The cars underwent more redesigning and only became famous after the 2nd world war.

The company has primarily remained stable because of its diverse interest in many other business sectors. It has also been innovative when it comes to promotional strategies. As one of the first car companies to sponsor sports events, golf tournaments and for this reason; consumers quickly became aware of the Volvo trade mark. The cars have been known to be extremely safe and often hold the records for most mileage and durability.

The cars have always been of high quality and are of the most respected Swedish cars. Volvo is the 2nd largest manufacturer of trucks and buses world wide- the sales have been booming. The other sector where this company has capitalized is in consumer transport, with their buses are used world wide. Almost every country uses Volvo buses for mass public transit.

Today, Volvo cars are available worldwide and have patented many safety system including the SIPS, SHIPS, ROPS and IC to name just a few. There are plans to make hybrid and electric cars in the near future mean to compete with Japanese manufactures like Honda and Toyota. Unlike many other companies, the future of Volvo appears safe and sound.

Learn more about Volvo at http://www.eurorennen.com and sign up for the Volvo Car Show

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Best Porsche Car Show this 2009

Porsche is a German luxury car currently owned by the Volkswagen Company. The company was founded in 1931 and has been touted to be a luxury car for the rich and famous. Since the beginning, Porsche has always catered to an exclusive clientele.

The current Porsche cars include the Boxter Roadster, Cayman, Carrera and the Panamera. Unlike many other car companies, Porsche has had the ability to weather the financial crises of the 40, 70s and 90s. The reason has been chiefly due to limited car production, good engineering and reasonable price.
Parts of the car are made in various European countries and then the car is assembled in Stuttgart. Recent reports indicate that Porsche remains the most successful car company both in terms of profitability and stability of ownership.

Porsche' major competition both on the racing circuit and the consumer market has been Ferrari. While Ferrari is prohibitively expensive and has done well on the racing circuit, Porsche on the other hand has done well with the consumer market. In the consumer market, Porsche competes with Mercedes, Audi and BMW.

The great engineering and innovational skills have allowed Porsche to be a consultant for Audi, SEAT, Subaru, Daewoo and Yugo.

Since the 60s, a lot has changed about Porsche. Porsche has always lent its engineering skills to others car manufacturers and has now teamed up with Toyota to develop the next generation of hybrid sports car. The four door coupe Panamera will be the first hybrid for Porsche. The all time most costly Porsche is the Carrera GT, currently costing close to $500,000 in the USA and is the most expensive Porsche ever built.

The company has gone extensive re-structuring by Volkswagen. In 2000, the famous 911 has again regained its name as the top selling Porsche of all time and continues to sell well world wide.

With solid finances and a great car, Porsche has not been hit with the global economic downturn. With all the money available the company should remain stable for many more years.

Learn more about Porsche at http://www.eurorennen.com and sign up for the Porsche Car Show

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A New Brand From Toyota?

Although Toyota is one of the leading auto manufacturers in the world, the late 1990's saw a shift of younger consumers away from the Toyota brand. This is not a new concept, as most car manufacturers have had to deal with this unique shift at some point in their histories. Industrial psychologists throughout the twentieth century have concluded that the issue stems from a natural need for human offspring to develop independence outside of the parent-child relationship. Studies show that younger consumers naturally make choices that allow them to develop a separate identity. Brand shifting is just one more way that the next generation establishes this unique identity.

In order to combat this, Toyota announced plans in the latter half of the nineties to lure generation Y back to the Toyota brand. The project was entitled Project Genesis. While the project itself was not successful, the Scion line grew out of this failed attempt.

The public got its first glimpse of Toyota's new concept car at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show on January 2, 2003. The xA and XB were the 2004 models that were displayed at the show. Toyota introduced the vehicles slowly. The cars were made available at just 104 dealerships and were limited to California only. The next year Toyota made the cars available nationwide. The Scion xB was unveiled in December of 2006. Scion currently has three models available to buyers in the United States. These include the tC, which is a three-door lift back, a five-door box shaped compact wagon and the xD, which is a five-door subcompact car.

Toyota has changed its sales strategy for the Scion line up, calling it Value Innovation. The concept is founded on key factors that include price, options, performance handling, confidence in buying and 21st radio. Scion has incorporated into its sales strategy a concept it calls "Pure Price" and monospec trim levels. The monospec allows for a wide selection of factory and TRD accessories.

The "Pure Price" strategy entails listing the price of the vehicle, whether on the car, in an advertisement of on a display board at the dealership. The price includes the vehicle, accessories, finance and insurance products. Whatever price is listed is what the customer pays. This removes any negotiation from the price. It was meant to entice buyers by offering a simpler and cleaner process that was open and balanced. The strategy is not a new one, having been used by both Geo and Saturn with mixed results.

The monospec strategy offers consumers only one trim level with the ability to make the car unique to the individual buyer. To do this Scion has joined with various aftermarket companies to give each buyer up to 40 different options from which to add to the vehicle. The success of this has yet to be determined and as some critics have pointed out, Toyota is taking an unusual risk in terms of its history of quality automobiles. Because aftermarket items have proven in the past to be of far less quality than the products that Toyota installs while vehicles are assembled in the factory, Toyota may be jeopardizing their to date sterling reputation for produce superior automobiles.

Ronnie Tanner is a contributing writer at SW Engines. He writes about used Scion engines and other departmental updates for the company.

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Tesla S a Luxurious Electric Sedan

This past March, Tesla Motors unveiled a prototype of its second vehicle, dubbed the Tesla S. Following on the heels of the recently released Tesla Roadster, the Tesla S takes the automaker in a slightly different direction - seeking to appeal to mainstream buyers, particularly those of less costly sedans with long term higher ownership costs.

Initial Appeal For The Sedan Is Strong

A seven passenger model, the Tesla S will not be going into production until late 2011, which means that when the sedan hits the market it will be cast as a 2012 model. That is still a long way off, but interest in the car is rising steadily. The automaker made a recent announcement that more than one thousand people have plunked down a $5000 refundable deposit on the sedan, signaling that the appeal for this car will eventually prove to be strong.

The Tesla Roadster made its debut in 2008 and is the first pure electric car of its kind. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, the Roadster is famous for going from zero to sixty in just 3.9 seconds while emitting zero emissions. Priced at around $108,000 before a $7500 federal tax credit kicks in, the Tesla Roadster is for the hard core sports car enthusiast, thus it is a low volume vehicle. To date, Tesla has produced just 400 copies of the Roadster although many times that number of people are on the their waiting list.

Going For A Broader Audience

With the Tesla S, Tesla Motors decided to go with a wider audience in a bid to attract customers. Priced at about $57,000, the Tesla S will get the same $7500 federal tax credit Roadster buyers receive, pushing the car's price just below $50,000. Styled like a European luxury sedan, the S will seat five adults and two children, an unusual configuration for a car in this class.

Like the Roadster, the zero emissions S will appeal to environmentally concerned drivers. Powered by a lithium ion battery pack the sedan should have a driving range of about 300 miles. At this time, the automaker says that they are working on a QuickCharge onboard recharging unit, a device that could recharge the sedan's depleted batteries in as little as 45 minutes. This means that for the person taking a long trip, they could stop long enough to enjoy dinner before heading out in their freshly recharged sedan without having to lose out on travel time.

All The Amenities Luxury Drivers Demand

Inside, the design of the Tesla S will astound buyers especially as they take note of a whopping seventeen inch display panel for navigation and offer all of the technological feedback and enhancements that today's luxury car buyers demand. Premium car buyers who are attracted to a BMW or a Mercedes will feel at home in the Tesla S, perhaps finding that the car's power and low ownership costs beyond the base price make it an attractive vehicle for them.

As far as the mass production of the Tesla S goes, a lot will depend on customer demand at that time. Several other automakers are coming out with their own electric sedan, including the Fisker Karma which will be priced some $30,000 more than the Tesla S model.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including BMW rims and Ford Mustang rims

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The Best Jeep Cherokee

It seems that everyone is obsessed with money. Before the recession hit, if you didn't have the latest television technology in your bathroom or the fastest lawnmower for your flat, you weren't with the 'in' crowd. It never used to matter if you needed something, just that others were buying it. Nowadays it's the opposite, if you do spend money on anything nice, then you're an idiot because no-one should buy anything in the current economic climate. So how do you treat yourself without the neighbours lecturing you on the value of money? Easy, buy a Jeep Cherokee.

The beauty of Jeep has always been that for the money, you get an awful lot of equipment and high specification as standard. The downside has always been that they're cheaply put together, depreciate faster than a gambling addict's bank balance and quite frankly, pretty rubbish to drive. I can't say how the new Cherokee will depreciate, but I can confirm that it's a very good SUV for the money.

The latest Jeep Cherokee is the most recent update in the company's range and has the wealth of 65 years experience to draw upon. There are two things that dawned on me when viewing the latest offering - Jeep appear to have hired designers from Porsche's 911 studio as they've not restyled it at all. As a result it looks identical to the previous model, with more than a hint of mini Land Rover about its features.

This of course is no bad thing. The styling was previously very likeable whilst being utilitarian, the predilection of any good Jeep. Therefore you get chunky features, the famous seven slot front grill and that mud-splattered heritage. I'd actually go so far as to say it's my favourite styling on any 4x4. If it was a woman it'd be Sophie Ellis Bextor - not everyone's cup of tea initially but look closer and she's actually very attractive.

The lines are very unfussy, with just the wheel arches bulging out from the cubist body. Even little features such as the wing mirrors and door handles are made chunky, giving the Jeep Cherokee a robust look as well as feel. On the engine options front, Jeep won't spend too long on the specification - you can either have a 2.8 litre diesel with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox. Yes that's it. Clearly this isn't a performance vehicle but despite its bulk the Cherokee will reach 60mph in 11.2 seconds and has a top speed of 112mph. Not much from 174bhp I hear you shout, but then it does weigh 2520kg so this isn't too shabby at all.

Due to the heritage of the firm and all its off road war pedigree, I'd hazard a well-judged guess that a Jeep owner will do more off road driving than the typical SUV owner. They'll be happy too as the Cherokee can cope ably with rugged terrain, thanks to its high ground clearance, powerful engine and hill descent option as standard. So does that mean it has sacrificed its handling on the tarmac, which is still where the majority of the driving will take place? Thankfully no. Make no mistake it isn't as refined as a car, or SUVs in a much higher price bracket from Europe, but the Jeep combines on and off road duties perfectly well. There is minimal body roll or road noise on the motorway and the steering wheel has good feedback letting you know at all times what is going on. Inside the Cherokee is well equipped with the aforementioned hill descent accompanied with air conditioning, stability and cruise control, parking sensors and seats that are both electrically moved about and heated. For an extra £950 you can open your roof to the sky above with the 'Sky Slider' option - a panoramic canvas roof. It really isn't an after-thought either, as it stretches back from above the driver to behind passenger heads. On sunny summer days, you'll be the envy of all other 4x4 owners. Some may complain that the materials used on the interior aren't to the highest standard but they all function perfectly well and keep a good chunk of money off the retail price.

That price starts at £24, 300 which in any economic climate is good sense. There's no denying that your neighbours will initially be banging your door down, demanding how, in this time of crisis, you have been so foolish to spend so much on an SUV. Never fear, I'm sure once what you actually paid is laid out, they'll be congratulating you on a bargain buy.

Mark Creese is a writer and a car enthusiast. Here he writes about the Jeep Cherokee.

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The Mazda RX8

There's been a lot of hype this week surrounding the new Star Trek film, crazily entitled Star Trek. The positive reviews have been overflowing, with the origins-based film being hailed as one of, if not the best film of the franchise. Regardless of whether I've watched the various television series or films there's always been one element that always gets me excited - the jump to hyperspace. You know the bit, where the captain of the Starship Enterprise is in trouble and gets everyone out of it by pressing a button that sends them into a blur with stars flashing by at unimaginable speed. I've always wanted to recreate that sensation, initially with Lego as a child but nowadays my best bet is a Mazda RX8.

Yep the Japanese coupe may not seem the most obvious choice for making the scenery go blurry when you plant your right foot, but you'll be pleasantly surprised. When Mazda pensioned off the RX7, it was at a time when many car manufacturers had experimented with rotary engine technology and given up the ghost. Once deemed the engine of the future, rotary units allowed cars to rev to heights never thought possible. It also meant that an engine as small in capacity as a 1.3 litre could produce over 200bhp.

The downside was that despite the small capacity, rotary engines drank more than George Best, were not environmentally friendly and worst of all, not very reliable. Yet where others failed, Mazda made a success of housing a rotary engine in the RX7, which to this day is a Japanese icon. With Ford's input, Mazda decided that they could develop the rotary engine further to improve reliability, reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. In other words, right the wrongs of its predecessor.

Even if the rotary engine could be improved, it was in essence a sports car engine. Therefore Mazda man collecting his pension in a Mazda saloon revving to 9,000 rpm was not an option. What Mazda needed was a car that would be a bone fide sports car and seat a family in one stylish package. Despite this oxymoron, Mazda somehow achieved its goal with the RX8.

To look at the RX8 is pure sports car. To drive the car is pure sports car. Yet you'll find yourself turning your head 180 degrees and seeing two beaming children looking back at you. So how have Mazda managed to make a success of a car that combines an engine design no-one can grasp and a family sports car combination that seems impossible?
Let's start with the styling. The car is perfectly proportioned with a long bonnet bulging aggressively at the front and a stumpy rear complimenting. So many sports car makers extend the boot to fit golf clubs and ruin the lines as a result. It's a relief that Mazda haven't fallen into this trap, although this means that practicality isn't a strong point. Huge 18 inch wheels adorn the car and ably fill the corresponding bulging wheel arches. The lines flow smoothly and crucially make the back end much higher than the front, enabling the rear occupants the luxury of headroom.

And so to the rear seating. In any coupe that claims to have rear seats, you either need to be the size of a hamster to fit in, or have the agility of a cat to clamber past the passenger seat into the back. The RX8 cunningly overcomes this problem, firstly by having decent sized seats and secondly, by ingeniously overcoming the access problem.
The simple answer would surely be to add another door? Well...that's basically what Mazda has done, but they've managed to retain the look of a two-door coupe. By adding 'suicide doors' that open the opposite way the front ones (and are half the size) you can get into the back easily. Problem solved.

So the engine and why it's like Star Trek. The two rotary derivatives produce 192 and 231bhp respectively. It's the 231 we'll be going wobbly legged over. Top speed is 150mph, but we don't care about that. Nor do we care that the manual says the RX8 will cover the 0-60mph dash in 6 seconds. The reality is that it feels much, much faster. With the instruments laid out in front of you like the deck on a spaceship and the leather racing seats holding you in place, the RX8 is quick to 7,000rpm and then everything really does go hyperspace blurry up to 9,000rpm.

I've never had that sensation in any other fast car I've driven and it's worth buying a Mazda RX8 to experience that alone. Factor in the addition of three passengers, great styling and at last a reliable engine and you're onto a winner... as for fuel economy.

Mark Creese is a writer and a car enthusiast. Here he discusses the Mazda RX8.

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The Sumitomo HTR ZIII for Porsche

When I purchased my 1997 Porsche 993 C4S the odometer read 24,000 miles. From the service history I could see that it had four new tires installed (Continental ContiSportContact 2s) less than 4,000 miles ago. This basically matched up with the information from my PPI and with my visual inspection upon receipt of the car.

Enjoying the car as much as I do, I clocked more than 6000 miles last season (including a great trip to Prince Edward Island). This meant the tires now had 10,000 miles on them and the rear tires were starting to feel a little worn. It was very subtle at first, a little chirp around a tight corner or a quick spin on a fast start. Given these signs I decided to start shopping for new tires.

The first place I started was the 993 forum on Rennlist (RL). As a quick aside, if you haven't been to Rennlist, and you own a Porsche (any type of Porsche), you owe it to yourself to check it out. The recommendations and opinions on RL were varied, to say the least. Like me, a lot of people felt strongly that you get what you pay for and therefore the more expensive tires must be the best. Thankfully, especially grateful was my bank account, I/they were wrong.

Tire Choices for a Porsche 993

Back in January I posted this article "Tire Choices for a Porsche 993." As you can see I had listed the following tires as my choices:

1. Bridgestone Potenza S-02

2. Continental ContiSportContact 2

3. Pirelli PZero Rosso

4. Michelin Pilot Sport Rib

I even went on to mention the following two tires as cheaper alternatives but I was going to shy away from them as I felt "you get what you pay for."

5. Sumitomo HTR Z II

6. BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2

As I said, turns out I was wrong. When push came to shove and it was time to pull the trigger to purchase the new tires for my Porsche, I did one last round of research. What I found was this thread which pushed me over the edge.

Sumitomo HTR Z III for Porsche

You see, when I was researching, the Sumitomo HTR Z III wasn't on the list (just the HTR Z II). It seems that with the HTR Z III, Sumitomo made some significant improvements. So, without wasting any more time, I went online to The Tire Rack and ordered four (4) new tires all for $700 delivered. That's a cost savings of almost 45% to my original choice of the Michelin Pilot Sport Rib.

My 993 was scheduled to visit the shop for a spring check-up, 30k service and brake bleed so I opted to have the tires delivered directly to them. After seeing the wear pattern on my old tires I decided to do a four-wheel alignment (they were cupping a little on the interior front edges) along with a hi-speed balance. This way, not only am I starting with a matched set of four new shoes, but I know they alignment and balance is correct. Assuming I keep the proper air-pressure and don't play too hard, I should get some significant wear from these tires. First Impressions

Since picking the car up I have turned almost 1500 miles on the new tires, each one with a huge smile on my face. The Sumitomo HTR Z IIIsare as advertised. They are very sticky, with a firm/stiff sidewall that handle great for daily driving (spirited or otherwise). I have not yet used them on the track or in the rain so I can't comment on that aspect. However, for driving on back roads, highways and anywhere else, I am most pleased. They stick as good, if not better, than any tire I have driven in the past. They seem to blend well with my stock suspension and absorb the bumps and pot holes quite well. I can't comment on road noise as I usually have the windows open or the revs too high to hear. :-)

All in all, I am extremely pleased with these tires and would recommend them highly to anyone, for any modern Porsche, regardless of budget. We all know that there are lots and lots of modifications to do to our Porsches. So, if you can get a great bang for the buck with this tire, why not turn around and roll the money into another mod!! Keep sliding down that slippery slope.

I publish http://www.PorschePurist.com the web's foremost destination for Porsche owners and automotive enthusiasts interested in the cars, products and lifestyle associated with the Porsche brand. With articles covering everything from purchasing and maintenance tips, car and product reviews to motorsports and other Porsche news, the site welcomes over 15,000 unique monthly visitors and growing.

PorschePurist.com focuses on the creation of original and entertaining content. Our goal is to have fun, enjoy our cars and pass along informative, fun and factual information.

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