2011 Hyundai Sonata : Edition Limited

seems like Hyundai is in a sort of automotive golden age where it just can’t put a foot wrong. The Genesis sedan and Coupe, and Tucson have been well received in their respective marketplaces, but the ultra competitive mid-size sedan segment is a different kind of monster

The Sonata was going to need some big chops to even be considered against stalwarts like the Camry and Accord. Upon climbing in the Sonata, the first thought was that there was no way this was a sub-$30K vehicle. The Sonata’s interior easily outclasses most of the competition


Cons
* Transmission could use some refinement
* 2.4-liter engine is good, but we want the turbo already!
* Steering feel and suspension tuning create an uninvolving experience

Mission Possible: Heathrow Airport

Heathrow airport (near to London) — the largest airport of the United Kingdom. This airport is the 3rd on volume of transportations in the World and the 1st on number of foreign tourists.

The Legendary British Airport

Heathrow airport is considered one of the most loaded and most comfortable airports in the World. Each terminal has currency exchange offices with accessible exchange rates, information racks and information bureaus for placing of visitors. There is also a section of storage of luggage. Heathrow airport has special licence «CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence» (№Р527), allowing to carry out flights and to train in flight business.

In Heathrow there are 17 international hotels of different level of comfort and the price. To reach them from Heathrow it's possible by the bus «Heathrow Hotel Hoppa» from «National Express» company. Besides it there is a rent car service and a protected Heathrow parking. For safety responsibly aviation division of Capital Police though the national army, including special divisions, also is involved in the airport when it's necessary to strengthen protection degree.

At Heathrow airport there are Anglican, Catholic, Muslim, Hindu and Jewish priests. Heathrow airport has own mass-media consisting of six photographers and one television command, working for the most popular newspapers and telecasts worldwide.

At Heathrow, taxi are usually built in turn on the special airport parking, because to "carry" passengers is a truly competitive & profitable business. The fare is supervised by the taxi counter and highlighted on the display. Additional payment, for example, in the evening or during week-end, is here too specified. Tip, usually at a rate of 10%, is paid at your discretion.

The taxi drivers at Heathrow airport are not obliged to agree on transportation of passengers on a route exceeding 20 miles but if they agree also a route lies across London, it's necessary to pay for journey so much, how many is shown on the taxi counter. If the taxi driver agrees to finish the passenger in point outside of London, payment for journey makes a reservation before.

London Heathrow Airport. The Great Britain

2011 Mercedes SL 63 AMG Black Saphir

2011 Indent Design Tuners introduced the Saphir BLACK which is adapted Mercedes SL63 AMG received enhancements for both appearance and performance. With the kit from Design indent makes a lot of options for the appearance of SL63. As has been previously preached Wheelsandmore has also introduced a kit with WheelsandMore SL63. Also RENNtech SL63 Have been Launched.

Actually come to think about it, eventually you might be better to spend a little more and get a real Black. Indent does provide a sports suspension and a new set of wheels designed to look like Black wheels for your car, but you have to blow a pile of money, too. They offer a 11 × 20 inches (front) and 13 × 20-inch (rear) with 275/30 R20 and 325/25 R20 Dunlop tires. The price of this set is € 13,200. organized sports and the speed depends on the suspension will set you back another € 15,550, and then there are spy cameras (900 euros), the lamp driving day (420 euros) and is suitable Saphire Black high-grade steel muffler embellishers (1200 euros).

Fotos do Idea 2011

A Fiat lançou a linha Idea 2011, que ganhou um novo visual externo e um interior remodelado.

A linha 2011 do Idea tem três opções de motor a 1.4, 1.6 16V E.torQ e 1.8 16V E.torQ e quatro versões a Attractive, Essence, Sporting e Adventure e também as versões Dualogic.

Nos itens de série a Fiat Idea Attractive. A versão de entrada da nova gama possui as mesmas características e qualidades da atual versão ELX 1.4. Além do preço atraente, traz um bom nível de itens de série. Entre eles, direção hidráulica, vidros elétricos dianteiros, travas elétricas, computador de bordo, volante e banco do motorista com regulagem de altura, Follow me home, três encostos de cabeça no banco traseiro, banco traseiro bipartido, comando elétrico de abertura do porta-malas, console no teto, lanternas traseiras com iluminação a LED, retrovisores externos com luzes indicadoras de direção, spoiler, luzes de leitura dianteira e traseira e chave canivete com telecomando.

Já na Idea Adventure. Com a mesma oferta de equipamentos – acrescida de airbags dianteiros, freios com ABS e faróis de profundidade – e motorização que a versão Sporting, ela apresenta como destaques o acabamento externo e interno característicos da linha Adventure. Ou seja, barras exclusivas no teto, bússola e inclinômetro, grade frontal cromada com inscrição Adventure, estepe fixado na porta traseira (com trava antifurto), protetor de cárter, novas rodas com pneus de uso misto 205/70 R15, suspensão elevada, porta-objetos no assoalho do porta-malas e todos os detalhes estéticos que distinguem a versão Adventure. O Locker, passa a fazer parte da lista de opcionais do novo Idea Adventure.

Idea Essence. Incorpora o novo motor 1.6 16V E-torQ, acoplado a um câmbio mecânico de cinco marchas ou ao câmbio Dualogic® Automático. Traz os mesmos equipamentos e nível de acabamento da versão Attractive, mas oferece alguns itens opcionais a mais: bancos em couro, apóia-braço para o motorista, banco dianteiro do passageiro dobrável para ampliar o espaço para carga, airbags laterais dianteiros, teto solar Skydome, sensores crepuscular e de chuva, retrovisor interno eletrocrômico e subwoofer.

A Idea Sporting. Trata-se de uma nova versão para o modelo, bastante diferenciada em termos de acabamento interno, visual externo e nível de equipamentos. As versões Sporting vêm com opção de câmbio mecânico ou Dualogic e têm o novo motor 1.8 16V E.torQ . Seus itens de série incluem todos os presentes na versão Attractive, mais ar-condicionado, computador de bordo B, faróis de neblina, rádio CD com MP3, rodas em liga-leve aro 16” (inclusive o estepe), retrovisores externos com acionamento elétrico e apóia-braço central para o motorista.

Confira as versões e Preços da linha Idea 2011:

Attractive1.4 8VR$ 43.590
Essence1.6 16V E.torQR$ 45.610
Essence Dualogic1.6 16V E.torQR$ 47.720
Sporting1.8 16V E.torQR$ 54.280
Sporting Dualogic1.8 16V E.torQR$ 56.390
Adventure1.8 16V E.torQR$ 56.900
Adventure Dualogic1.8 16V E.torQR$ 59.010

Fast Lanes for Faster Drivers?

Fast Lanes for Faster Drivers?

Is anyone happy with the way our traffic system works? We have what you might call a least common denominator, "one size fits all" licensing system that arguably serves no one well.

Example: Drivers with experience and above-average skill (demonstrated by passing a more difficult driving test, or having successfully earned a certificate from a high-performance driving school such as Bondurant or Skip Barber, etc.) could probably be trusted to drive considerably faster than currently posted maximum lawful speeds of 70-75 mph (which is what speed limits were circa 1970) without endangering themselves or others.

In practice, of course, they already do. But despite their ability to drive faster safely, they're lumped in with the least competent via dumbed-down speed limits that put them in almost constant jeopardy of being radar-trapped into a $150 piece of payin' paper.

On the flip side, marginal and outright incompetent drivers are not treated as such by the system. Jut the opposite. They are often rewarded - or at least, encouraged to think they are "good drivers" by dint of the fact that they don't "speed."

That they often tailgate, wander across the double yellow, blow through red lights - and so on - hardly seems to matter since for the most part, these offenses are not the focus of traffic safety enforcement. "Speeding" is the major no-no, even though driving faster than a number painted on a sign may have no bearing whatever on how safely (or not) you happen to be driving.

Since so little is expected of all drivers, the general level of skill is very low. This almost certainly makes it less safe out there than it ought to be - and easily could be.

But how to reconcile the good drivers with the bad ones - or at least, to not punish the good drivers just because they transgress against laws intended for the benefit of the not-so-good drivers?

A tiered system of licensing - with "fast lanes" on highways set aside for those who have passed more demanding proficiency requirements - could make driving safer and more pleasant for everyone. Such a system exists already in countries like Germany and the results have been hard to argue with: Germany enjoys a generally higher average skill level for its drivers (because getting a license over there is n easy thing, as it is here) and an accident/fatality rate that is better than ours, despite often much faster rates of travel.

In a tiered system, there are two categories of driver's license: The Basic and the Expert (with a Learner's for teenaged/first-time drivers).

In order to get your Basic license, you'd have to pass a written test proving that you know the rules of the road such as what the passing lane is for, who goes first at 4-way stops and so on. In addition to the written part, an actual on-road "road test" would be next - one that actually requires the subject being tested to prove basic competence behind the wheel in real-word driving conditions. The test would take at least 30 minutes and involve driving on secondary roads and highways, merging with traffic, parallel parking and so on.

This alone would result in a major uptick in the ability of the typical American motorist, simply by dint of weeding out the people who haven't yet mastered the skills needed to safely operate a motor vehicle. Currently, most states require nothing more demanding than a few turns around some cones in the DMV parking lot - or a cursory drive around the block. This is outrageous given the responsibility that comes with driving a motor vehicle.

Successful passage of an actual road test in real-world conditions - as is the practice in many European countries - ought to be a mandatory minimum before any person is allowed onto public roads. But of course, it's not. We literally let almost anyone who can insert a key into the ignition switch and pull the lever into "Drive" get a license - and not just a Basic license, but an "open class" license with no restrictions placed on the person whatsoever.

It's interesting that the self-styled "safety advocates" who complain endlessly about "speeding" rarely, if ever, focus on our frighteningly lax driver's licensing procedures. A "speeder" is arguably less dangerous than a person who timidly creeps into fast-moving traffic or constantly wanders across the double yellow in curves or who parks in the far left lane at exactly 55 mph, refusing to yield to faster-moving traffic.

But back to tiered licenses. After a person acquires their first or Basic license and drives without incident for say two years, he would be eligible for an Expert endorsement (like the current "m" endorsement required to operate a motorcycle in many states). Additional training - such as successful completion of a high-performance driving school - could be the basic requirement for the "expert" endorsement, along with a DMV record free of any record of at-fault accidents or convictions for things that genuinely reflect careless or dangerous driving, such as DWI.

The holder of an Expert endorsement would be allowed to operate his vehicle on dedicated fast lanes with higher maximum speed limits - or even no formal speed limits at all, as on the German Autobahns.

Unsafe? Scary? Not really. The Germans are very strict about their training and licensing requirements - but once an applicant has made the cut, the German authorities leave it up to him to judge what speed is safe. And it works quite well. The accident/fatality rate on the Autobahns - where cars routinely cruise at 100 mph - is lower than it is on our Interstate highways, where it is rarely legal to drive faster than 70 mph.

A tiered licensing system and fast lanes could accomplish several worthwhile things:

* It would give all drivers something to strive for - encouraging the acquisition of a higher level of skill behind the wheel. This would tend to lift the quality of the driving pool in general, which would make the driving environment safer for everyone.

* It would end the revenue-motivated harassment of drivers who are able to safely handle high-speed driving but who are currently subject to being ticketed merely because they happen to be driving faster than a number painted on a sign.

* Police could devote their energies to identifying and weeding out the genuinely dangerous drivers - tailgaters, people who refuse to yield to faster-moving traffic, drunks, the reckless, etc. This would do much to increase highway safety. It would also go a long way toward rebuilding the diminished stature of the highway patrol in the minds of many motorists, who have become very cynical about law enforcement as a result of radar traps and "speed enforcement" in general.

It'd be a pretty cool thing for all concerned - if it could ever be realized.

2011 Infiniti QX56

The 2011 QX provides 400hp and 413lb-ft of torque from its direct-injected 5.6l V-8. Customers have the option of rear-wheel drive, or Infiniti’s All-Mode 4WD. The QX is packed full of standard tech, including Infiniti’s hard-drive based navigation, Bose Stereo, USB Connectivity, Intelligent Cruise Control, Frontal Collision Warning, and Intelligent Brake Assist. Rather impressively, Infiniti is offering a majorly improved QX for the same price as last year’s model. The range starts at $56.7K for rear-wheel drive, and $59.8K for four-wheel drive.

Electric Cars of the future

1. BMW Concept ActiveE

As part of something called the Project I, the BMW ActiveE follows the Mini E into the world of creating all-electric versions of the current BMW Group Production models. Essentially, the ActiveE is an electric 1-series coupe. Present in this concept vehicle are the amenities, a BMW customer would want – leather seats, infotainment, and an LCD Display – as well as some new goodies specific to the ActiveE, e.g, Ambient Blue lighting, exterior graphics, enhanced instrument panel, and special light-alloy wheels. Energy is stored in a temperature-regulated lithium-ion battery pack, which takes the place of the fuel tank and the drivetrain on a 1-series. The synchronous electric motor, integrated into the rear axle, provides 170 hp. 184 lb-ft of torque is available right from 0 rev/min. The ActiveE has a range of about 100 miles more>>


2. Volvo Electric C30

The Volvo Electric C30 is pretty much the same thing that it sounds like – a C30 with an EV powertrain. Those of you who find the C30’s unique looks attractive, won’t have anything to complain about the EV translation. A set of unique wheels and a large acreage of decals are the only major changes to the exterior. Volvo designers seem to have done their typical class-leading work on the interior, with a blue gear selector, signature materials, and a minimalist feel throughout. The C30 EV uses Li-ion batteries, housed in the propshaft tunnel and in the cavity, normally occupied by the fuel tank, in conjunction with a front-mounted electric motor. Range is stated maximum of 94 miles with full charge, which takes around eight hours to achieve, from a standard electrical outlet. More>>


3. Commuter Cars’ Tango T600

The Tango is a start-up-company-sized take on an all-electric solution for urban warriors. The car’s super-narrow profile can allow for in-traffic maneuvers, otherwise only possible for a motorcycle, with seating for two (front to back), and at least as much cargo space as is required for a briefcase, a six-pack of beer, and probably your longest extension cord. The T600 uses two powerful electric motors to good effect, when it comes to acceleration, powered by the owner’s choice of either Pb-acid or Li-ion battery packs. More>>

Fotos do Pagani Zonda HH

A Pagani divulgou as primeiras imagens do novo Zonda HH, carro único desenvolvido exclusivamente para um milionário norte-americano.

Ainda se tem poucas informações sobre ele mas já sabe-se que o Pagani Zonda HH será capaz de alcançar os 350 km/h de velocidade máxima e apenas 3,4 segundos para chegar dos 0 aos 100 km/h e 9,6 segundos para superar os 200 km/h.

Hyundai moving production of i20 hatch from India to Turkey

Hyundai has announced it will move production of the i20 hatchback from the current location in India to Turkey. Starting in May next year, 80.000 units of Hyundai i20 will be built at Hyundai Turkey plant in the city called Izmit and will be exported to European countries.

Hyundai plans to invest about $75 million additionally to rebuild the plant, which currently produces four door Hyundai Accent and B-segment Matrix MPV. Large scale Hyundai investment does not only mean more Beauty Future Cars but also new jobs in Turkey as Hyundai will have to hire additional 500 workers to produce the i20 hatch. According to Hyundai, current plant's capacity will be raised to 100.000 vehicles per year, with 80.000 units devoted to Hyundai i20.

Hyundai sells i20 and Getz hatch in Turkey where it has the leading market share among B-segment cars. In the first eight months, Hyundai sold 7.000 units of Getz, which makes it the number one selling car in the country. Hyundai i20 has only been on sale since May, and in the meantime the company already sold more than 1.500 units.

In Turkey, Hyundai i20 is available with a choice of four different fuel-sipping engines: 1.2-liter and 1.4-liter gasoline engines and 1.4-liter CRDi diesel engine. [Source: Hyundai]

Hyundai to set up commercial vehicle joint venture in China

Hyundai announced it plans to establish a commercial vehicle joint venture with one of the Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturers.

Hyundai experienced explosive passenger car sales gains in China in 2009 and the company now seeks to repeat the success in the world's largest auto market through commercial vehicles.

The Korean largest car maker intends to offer a complete line-up of commercial vehicles in China with an aim to sell around 100.000 units of its trucks by the end of 2014

Hyundai announced it has signed an agreement to create a joint venture with Baotou Bei Ben Heavy-Duty Truck. Under the agreement, Hyundai and its commercial vehicle partner will both invest $400 million to establish a 50-50 joint venture.

The joint venture between Hyundai and Baotou Bei Ben Heavy-Duty Truck will first unveil a redesigned Baotou Bei Ben model, while two year later the ventzre will unveil a completely redesigned model, which will feature Hyundai's advance powertrain technology.

Image: Baotou Bei Ben heavy truck.

"Entering China's commercial vehicle market is essential in establishing Hyundai's reputation as the most comprehensive car manufacturer in the world's largest auto market," Mr. Choi, Hyundai's Vice Chairman, said at the signing ceremony. "Our business in China will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our global sales target of 200,000 units in commercial vehicles by 2013."

Maintaining Your Vehicle Saves Money in Rough Times

Maintaining Your Vehicle Saves Money in Rough Times

Is your transportation situation affected during these hard economic times? With the unemployment rate at record levels and the threat of more layoffs and business closings in store, sales of new vehicles are way down. Even if you are fortunate enough to be employed at the moment, are you willing to assume a new 48 or 60 month car note? Purchasing a new or used vehicle may not be a viable option at this point in time, so properly maintaining the one you have now is the best bet.

Be sure to deal with any larger maintenance problems first. If your car or truck is not as dependable as you need or want it to be, you should consider investing in the maintenance of the engine, power train, transmission, and other mechanical parts. If there are already mechanical problems, you should definitely have these fixed so that they won't trigger more problems and multiply any future repair costs. Also, be sure to abide by the manufacturer's recommendations for preventative maintenance and the schedule by which they should be performed. Preventative maintenance can save you a significant amount of money by catching potentially big problems before they happen.

Maintaining the best appearance of your car or truck requires only an occasional washing and waxing, and the use of a high quality vehicle cover. Car covers and truck covers are particularly helpful when your vehicle does not enjoy the shelter of an enclosed garage. But, even if you have an enclosed garage, car covers and truck covers are useful when you are on vacation, at work, away from home, or in any location where a protective shelter for your vehicle is not available. Truck and car covers protect your vehicle from exposure to harsh weather conditions, including snow, rain, sleet, ice, and the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, all of which can cause considerable damage the appearance of your vehicle over time.

Properly caring for the vehicle that you currently own rather than yearning for a new one will save you a lot of money, especially in these uncertain economic times. You might be surprised to see how long your car or truck stays in good working order when you follow basic steps to maintain it. If you do, it may be quite some time before you will need to worry about your transportation situation again.

Pneu de 30 polegadas no Brasil

Uma picape Dodge Ram com pneus Pirelli Scorpion Zero e aro 30, já roda em São Paulo.

A Pirelli trabalhou 60 dias para deixar a caminhonete pronta. Ela teve o chassi reduzido em um metro e a suspensão reduzida em 20 centímetros.

Os pneus originais desta picape são de 17 poelgadas.

Pagani Zonda R bate recorde em Nürburgring

Is Your Old Car a Classic - or Just a Used Car?

Is Your Old Car a Classic - or Just a Used Car?

Is that nicely preserved '88 Buick in your garage a "classic " - or just another old car? The answer depends on who you ask.

Most states won't issue a "classic" (or "antique") vehicle license plate and registration until a vehicle is at least 21 years old. Some old car clubs (such as the Antique Automobile Club of America) consider the passage of 25-30 years the absolute minimum before a car transitions from being an old car to an antique.

The slightly snootier Classic Car Club of America goes even further. This group, which claims to have been the first to use the term "classic car," refuses to acknowledge or accept any car built after the year 1948 - when mass-produced welded and stamped panels began to replace the more time-intensive, bolt-on/partial (or fully) hand-built processes that had been the norm previously.

CCCA regards only the coach-built cars of the 1920s and '30s - V-16 Cadillacs, Bugattis, Auburns, Duesenbergs, Cords, etc. - as worthy, although an occasional exception is made for low-production, historically significant machines built later.

Here's chapter and verse:

"A CCCA Classic is a 'fine' or 'distinctive' automobile, either American or foreign built, produced between 1925 and 1948. Generally, a Classic was high-priced when new and was built in limited quantities. Other factors, including engine displacement, custom coachwork and luxury accessories, such as power brakes, power clutch, and 'one-shot' or automatic lubrication systems, help determine whether a car is considered to be a Classic."

Of course, this rather restrictive definition is far from accepted by all old car hobbyists - most of whom will never have the wherewithal to afford a Duesenburg SJ or Auburn boat-tail speedster.

Arguably, it's not just a matter of the lowing masses (and lowing, mass-produced vehicles) vs. the elite (and elite, low-production, hand-built vehicles) that defines a "classic" car.

It's about a car having survived its era; and more precisely - by dint of having survived, of its providing us with a three dimensional piece of history via which we can see, touch, hear and experience the past.

Oodles more '55 Chevys were built than '36 Cord 810s. But both are time capsules, each in their own way. The Cord tells us one story, the Chevy another. But both are certainly "classic" - in the sense that we shall not see their like ever again in a new car showroom.

When you do a walk-around of either at a vintage car show, you see things that remind you (or if you were too young, reveal to you) bits and pieces of a long-gone era - of technology and styling and forgotten "firsts" that in many instances were revolutionary when these cars were new.

For example, the Cord's highly unusual (for 1936) front-wheel-drive layout - or the '55 Chevy's compact, high-powered "small block" OHV V-8, versions of which are still in production 60 years later. We see shapes and details etched into the dim recollections of our childhood brought back to life again; faded photographs from a time before our own resurrected in living steel, glass and rubber. The raspberry rip of a Flathead Ford; the burbling staccato of a 16-cylinder Caddy... .

It's a thrilling experience to see (and hear) these machines. And to marvel and remember.

Old cars also bring context and focus, helping us to understand the ongoing evolution of automobiles: Bias-plys to high-speed radials; gravity-feed and carburetors to direct injection. This process does require the passage of time, however.

Each decade that flows by can be likened to a gold prospector's pan being shifted; the gravel washes away, the murky waters finally clear - leaving a few precious nuggets ... if the prospector is fortunate enough.

As an example of this, consider the now hugely desirable and much-sought-after muscle cars of the mid-late 1960s and early '70s. In their day, they were mostly mass-produced, cheap - and as expendable as an empty beer can. It was not so long ago that one could buy used Shelby GT350 Mustangs, SS Chevelles and big-block Mopars for the cost of a worn-out Corolla today.

It took a quarter-century for an awareness of the significance of these brash and fearsome cars to percolate; for the realization that they represented a unique era in automotive history, never to be repeated, to dawn.

By this time, the few that survived had become something very special indeed.

In the same way, 10 or 20 years from now, a well-preserved '86 Tune Port Injected IROC-Z Camaro may well be morph from redneck lawn sculpture to high-dollar icon of the Reagan Years. Its design and technology will seem quaint - relics of a bygone time. We'll look, we'll reminisce ... and we'll be glad to see one again after all these years.

This process is ongoing - despite the snorts of the CCCA that nothing worth mentioning has happened since 1948.

Brands have come and gone (AMC, Studebaker; Oldsmobile and Pontiac - even Yugo). Makes and models that were once as common as pull-top soda cans have disappeared as completely as the passenger pigeon.

When was the last time you saw a road-worthy Honda CRX? Or Subaru Brat?

Such cars, it is true, may never attain the rarified status of the pre-war coach-builts - or even the muscle cars of the 1960s. But that does not mean the few roadworthy or restorable examples still around aren't interesting to see - or that they have nothing to tell us about their times.

Or worth hanging onto. And that, ultimately, is what a "classic" car is all about.

Vídeo SpaceFox 2011

Via Noticias Automotivas

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hybrid Cars

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hybrid Cars

As car makers are increasingly thinking of producing hybrid vehicles, it's time to think if these cars are really going to be the cars of the future? However, 'hybrid' seems to be the latest advancement in the auto world. Hybrid cars are known to enhance mileage figures, and hence are believed to be better than the traditional cars. In this article, let's see if the hybrid technology is really worth the praise.

Hybrid cars come with dual engines: gasoline and electric powered engines. The gasoline motor does not directly power the car. Instead, it charges the electric engine which in turn runs the car. The first of its kind was made in a foreign land. In India, Honda was the first car maker to come up with the technology in its Honda Civic Hybrid.

Many other Indian auto majors have followed suit. Toyota, Tata Motors and Hyundai may soon come up with hybrid engines in their cars in India. With the introduction of the new technology, the international car market has witnessed a major change. However, the feedback has been both positive and negative making it difficult to judge if the introduction of many more hybrid automobiles is viable.

Let us first look at the advantages of hybrids:

• Compare the pollution levels caused by hybrids with that of petrol automobiles. You'll know in a jiffy that the emissions gushing out of petrol vehicles are way higher than their hybrid counterparts.

• Hybrids draw lesser tax than the gasoline-powered automobiles.

• Introduction of hybrids will also reduce dependency on oil which is a fast-depleting natural oil resource.

• Though expensive to buy, hybrids don't need fuel re-fills every now and then, thus saving the fuel expenditure.

• The mileage obtained is much better.

• There is no friction in the engine to damage the spare parts, and hence, no wearing out of these parts.

• Maintenance cost is considerably low.

• Regenerative braking in these vehicles serves as a generator and charger to charge the batteries.

• Tyres of hybrid cars are harder and more inflated as compared to conventional cars.

Time to have a look at the disadvantages of hybrid cars:

• These cars being expensive, arranging money for the initial purchase becomes difficult for the average man.

• Hybrid technology is fairly new and hasn't been tested well. Only time can tell what obstacles may occur while driving.

• Hybrids are lighter than conventional cars, hence making them more prone to accidents. In case of a collision with regular gasoline automobiles, hybrids and their occupants suffer greater damage.

• Heavy storms are capable of blowing off hybrids from the ground.

• Hybrids may be eco-friendly on the road, but produce twice the amount of pollution during the manufacturing process.

• The accelerative power is relatively low.

• Winters or cold weather can influence the working of batteries, thus hampering the hybrid's performance.

Tom Cruise e Cameron Diaz, quem leva a melhor nas pistas?

Tom Cruise e Cameron Diaz participaram do programa Top Gear. E foram ver quem é melhor na pista, Tom Cruise levou a competição bem a sério e chegou a andar em duas rodas para levar a melhor.

Veja o vídeo a baixo:

Mega-Batteries for Your Old Muscle Car

Mega-Batteries for Your Old Muscle Car

There are two battery-related challenges to owning an old muscle car. One, they can be hard to start - especially if the engine is a big V-8 with high compression (which makes it tougher to crank, which places high demand on the battery).

Two, they often sit for weeks (or more), which can be harder on a battery than daily use because it's not being constantly recharged by the car's charging system - which only works when the engine's running.

A solution to both problems could be a high-performance battery like one of the new Optima spiral cell batteries .

These batteries are physically and functionally different from conventional batteries. Each battery contains six spiral cells (instead of plates in line) that wind around a central core; instead of the electrolyte sloshing around between the plates as in a conventional battery, it is held in suspension on absorbent mats that act like a sponge. The design allows more total plate surface area, which results in superior performance in a compact design that is also leak-free and corrosion-free, because there is no flowing electrolyte.

When you hit the ignition key, Optima claims you'll get the "strongest 5 second burst" of power available, which should make starting even the hairiest big block a snap.

I got one (RedTop with 1,000 cold cranking amps) recently for my 455-powered Trans-Am and am a believer. Where the old battery - a conventional plates-in-a-row type - often noticeably strained as it tried to rotate the big V-8 despite having the same exact same CC amps rating, the Optima spins the 455 over as easily as the PR materials claimed, with a near instantaneous start.

Superior hot-start performance - a big issue for muscle car owners - is another plus.

The design is also better able to withstand vibration (another issue for muscle car owners, especially if your car has a lumpy cam) and the battery is completely spill proof. You can even mount the unit on its side, if you wanted to.

An Optima battery is more expensive up front (about 40 percent more than a similarly rated, plate-type premium battery) but in addition to being able to start your car reliably, every time, the Optima will last longer because the spiral cell design is inherently more durable, doesn't shed lead paste (as happens routinely on the plates-in-series suspended in electrolyte fluid in a conventional battery) and can take being "cycled" (discharged and recharged) without losing their ability to hold a charge better than a standard battery. The increased surface area of the spiral-wound cells, meanwhile, also gives faster recharge times.

The Optima batteries are generally more compact than the units they replace, which helps with installation and mounting. In my case ('70s-era Pontiac) getting the battery in and out is now a lot easier - and the unit came with the same factory-type side terminals as the OE battery, so the stock cables bolt right up.

The RedTops are available for pretty much any classic muscle car and are ideal for modified vehicles and hot rods. If you have a lot of aftermarket electronics, Optima's YellowTop line is what you want. In addition to the superior starting power of the RedTops, the YellowTops are designed for maximum cycling (discharge/recharge) capability.

Hyundai to debut new Santa Fe and ix35 crossover in Frankfurt

Hyundai announced it will unveil next generation Tucson crossover (to be called ix35 in Europe) and facelifted Santa Fe SUV at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month to strengthen its position as one of the leading brands in the European SUV segment.

The all-new ix35 crossover is going to replace the very successful Tucson SUV, and will receive its world premiere at the Show on the 15th September. Alongside the ix35 will be a facelifted Santa Fe mid-size SUV, which benefits from a wide range of engineering and cosmetic changes to fine-tune the driving experience and make it even more competitive versus rival D-segment SUVs. Both models will reach Hyundai showrooms across the globe in the next six months.

New Hyundai ix35

The ix35 represents a major step forward for Hyundai in Europe. It is the first SUV to be conceived and engineered in Europe at the company’s Frankfurt-based design and technical centers. The newcomer embodies Hyundai’s new design language ‘fluidic sculpture’ and carries over much of the confident, sweeping styling of the ix-onic concept car, which starred at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

Its revolutionary features begin with the exterior styling which is based on the bold ix-onic concept shown at Geneva Motor Show in March. The power output, fuel-efficiency, comfort and safety features have been all upgraded. Known by the project name LM, it took 36 months and 280 billion won (approx. US$225 million) to develop.

Some safety features that were not available in the first-generation Hyundai Tucson will now be vailable:

- Safety Rear-View Mirror: Shifting into reverse gear automatically turns on the rear-view camera which provides a wide-angle view of the rear on a 3.5-inch color LCD built into the rear-view mirror thus reducing the risk of accidents.

- Emergency Stop Signal: In the event of a panic stop, this feature automatically triggers the emergency hazard lights whose flashing alerts the driver behind thus reducing the risk of rear-end crashes.

- Downhill Brake Control and Hill-Start Assist Control: DBC allows the vehicle to maintain a safe speed on steep declines without having to use the brake while the hill-start assist helps a driver move up a steep or slippery hill without rolling backwards.

- Panoramic Sunroof

- Vehicle Dynamic Control: improves the safety of a vehicles stability by detecting and minimizing skids

The ix35 comes availablw with a 2L engine: either the all-new diesel R or gasoline Theta-II and is fitted with Hyundai’s all-new six-speed automatic transmission. The diesel engine meets the Euro-5 emissions standards and achieves 15.4 kilometers per liter fuel economy with maximum power output of 184 horsepower. The gasoline engine has a fuel economy of 11.7 kilometers per liter with a 166 horsepower. The diesel engine is offered in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive configurations, while gasoline engine is available only in front-wheel-drive.

Hyundai is aiming for sales of 16,000 units of the new Tucson ix this year in the Korean market and 40,000 units annually starting next year. From the year 2011, Hyundai predicts its sales to reach 300,000 units globally, with 260,000 units sold in the overseas market.

Hyundai sales in Eastern Europe slows down

According to KAMA, Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, South Korean automakers experienced slower sales in Eastern Europe in the first eleven months of 2009.

Their sales performance has been affected by economic slump in the region. Overall auto sales in Russia fell from 2.69 million units in 2008 to 1.34 million units in 2009.

Reportedly, Hyundai Motor Company and other South Korean automakers including Kia and GM Daewoo have sold a total of 88.547 new cars in Russia and some Eastern European markets in the first 11 months, while a year earlier they sold 378.395 new cars.


The report also mentioned that on the other hand, Hyundai achieved some good results in the US market. Its manufacturing plant, which produces Santa Fe SUV and Sonata sedan rolled out a millionth car last month after only four and a hlf years since opening!