February 29, 2008
Getting up-to-date with the latest trends in the automotive world is quite demanding and costly. Well at least, we are knowledgeable about these things and that’s something we can brag about. Anyway, talk about the latest car techs, events and new cars with awesome grille guards, Forbes Autos created a list of the top five auto tech trends that are absolutely ground-breaking. Let’s get to know them one by one as ForbesAutos.com introduces us to this fantastic five tech fashion today!
According to Forbes Auto News, electronic technology will generate a humongous bang on vehicles in the next years to come.
"Although many technologies, such as Bluetooth and navigation may not seem as ‘new’ as they were several years ago, manufacturers have greatly improved the quality, features and user interfaces. As these technologies mature, consumers are able to enjoy entertainment, information, and conveniences more seamlessly between home, work and automobile,” says said Chris Yato, the manager of Competition Soundworks in Artesia, California.
In-Car Computing
Mounting a personal computer in the dashboard of a vehicle makes entertainment functions very easy. Take for example storing entire digital music libraries in the vehicle so you can run off without the iPod or other handy music device.
MP3 Player Connectivity
Companies have developed radio transmitters and cassette tape adapters that lets iPods play through a car’s stereo speakers.
Bluetooth Integration
"Reinforced by law in many states, mandatory Bluetooth kits on vehicles are necessary to provide a safe driving experience. Keeping this in mind, conveniences such as phonebook accesses that can be controlled by voice are becoming an absolute," says Joshua Landau, president of St. Louis-based JML Audio.
The New Navigation
"Text-to-speech technology has become the latest buzzword in the navigation industry because of its emphasis on safety. Since street names during guidance are spoken, drivers spend more time with their eyes on the road instead of their navigation display." And if your Bluetooth phone is connected, it can read your text messages to you. Navigation systems have also joined forces with radar detectors to alert drivers to common speed traps ahead of time," says Landau.
Factory Infusion
Carmakers are accumulating extra composite electronic devices at the factory nowadays.
February 27, 2008
The voices of a million online consumers and car enthusiasts have spoken… and these voices were heard. Thanks to the Accelant.com, consumers were allowed to vote and come up with their own list of “best car” selections that was based on consumer reports. The Accelant.com news reported that aside from auto experts and analysts, valued consumers are among the privileged individuals to create lists at the end of the year.
Here are the Consumer’s Top 10 Best Cars courtesy of the www.accelant.com:
1. Honda Fit - costs USD 14,000-16,000 and is number one in the fuel efficient cars class. The Fit was the winner in reliability, crash protection; talk about tight multi rib belts and satisfaction.
2. Honda Civic - ranges approximately USD 20,000 and in its variety includes a smooth running, splendid interiors, and the superlative handling.
3. The Honda Accord - costs USD 20,000-30,000, has exceptional balance of comfort, roominess, ride, and handling.
4. Infiniti G35 - costs 35,000-39,000
5. Infiniti M35 - costs USD 42,000- 45,000 and according to consumer ratings it earns the highest scored in the sedan category, comfortable, and drives well in any circumstances.
6. Toyota Rav4 - costs USD 23,000-27,000, the engine gives great performance, has fuel economy, and offers a dependable crash protection.
7. Toyota Highlander Hybrid - Costs over USD 30,000
8. Minivan Toyota Sienna - costs USD 26,000-28,000,
9. Green Car Toyota Prius - costs USD 23,000, has interiors that are spacious.
10. Mazda Mx-5 Miata - costs USD 21,000-USD 27,000
February 19, 2008
No, this is not about purr and fur but definitely, you may also be wondering why French inventor Guy Negre named his invention OneCat, an air-powered car set to hit India’s and Spain’s auto market this summer.
Onecat, expected to be available at £2,500, has a body that is made up of fibre and is glued to the chassis. Reports from zgeek.com said that this car is keyless. Instead, an access card allows passengers a more convenient entry. Meanwhile, tightreviews.com, said that this car is capable of running over 80 miles per hour. It is powered by oxygen filled in air tanks via an air compressor made out of carbon fiber. A petrol burner that heats the air allows the car to increase efficiency from 60 miles up to 500 miles on long travel destinations. In other words, a tank full of air can reach up to 200 kilometers. Meanwhile, refueling amounts to only two to three dollars and consumes only two to three minutes.
OneCat is the air car’s basic model. Its original name is MiniCat. Indian automaker Tata will take charge of its production and delivery to other markets worldwide.
In addition, tnerd.com said that the air car has no normal speed gauges but a small computer screen that shows the speed and engine revolutions. It also features high-tech systems including GSM telephone systems, GPS satellite tracking systems, voice recognitions, emergency systems and other state-of-the-art systems, which probably incorporates a head gasket.
The air car is perceived as a solution to the world’s pollution as well as oil price hike problem. As described in three words, the air car means, THE FUTURE IS NOW.
February 14, 2008
Now is the time to tell the whole world that being green doesn’t mean being in drab. Two car manufacturers have actually been able to create plug-in units that are green and yet are also plush. And I mean totally luxurious.
The Seattle Times’ Motoring mentioned that Fisker Automotive with Visionary Vehicles are working on such a type of vehicle. Green and plush sedans would soon be sent to the market for consumer consumption.
The head for Visionary Vehicles, Malcolm Bricklin, stated, “If I say ‘electric,’ people think ’slow.’ They think electric cars are golf carts. What people don’t get is they’re very fast, and they’re real.”
Right now, Visionary has a concept vehicle that is known as the Fisker Karma and it has been built as a sports car. It can take a zoom from a total zero to a high of 60 miles per hour in just 5.8 seconds. Its top speed even clocks in at 125 mph. If that is not fast, then I surely would have to find out what is.
Everything about the new concept has been painstakingly done so as to be able to find the right types of parts - from doors to engines to windshields to floor mats - for the vehicle to perform right. And the company has been able to find that using an electric motor with a lithium-ion battery would work well for the vehicle. It also comes with a gas engine that is small and holds four cylinders.
The Lincoln Zephyr…
From the name itself, you’d simply find the perfect words to describe this ride - cool and classy. Its magnificence is very apparent when you get to see one of its models. One of the most renowned Zephyrs to cruise the earth’s surface is the 2006 model. Aside from its awesome washer pump and splendid body styling, the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr is also outfitted with superior and sophisticated car interior. The ‘06 model is the recipient of the 2006 "Best Premium-Priced Car Interior", in case you don’t know!
According to the article from TopSpeed.com, both news media and the general manufacturing groups chose the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr as “Best Premium-Priced Car Interior of the Year” at the 7th annual Automotive “Interior of the Year” awards carried out by Wards Auto World magazine.
Lincoln Zephyr defeated several luxury car contenders which include the famous BMW 3 Series, Mercedes S Class, Audi A6, Cadillac DTS and Lexus GS.
“This award emphasizes how we’re changing the game at Lincoln, building on the world-class interiors that Lincoln is known for. The Zephyr was up against some very reputable competition and this honor is a telling sign of the level of detail we’re pouring into our interiors across the lineup,” said Peter Horbury, executive director of Design for North America.
Vehicles from Ford Motor Company notched other awards at the 2006 Ward’s Auto Interiors Show including:
* Best Instrument Cluster – 2006 Ford Mustang
* Popular-Priced CUV – 2007 Mazda CX-7
* Premium-Priced Truck – 2006 Range Rover Sport
February 8, 2008
Move over traditional cars and make way for the mean and plush plug-in road machines…
A news release has caught my attention this morning…
Fisker Automotive and
Visionary Vehicles plan to introduce plush plug-in sedans to the market. This is their effort to prove that green technology doesn’t have to be cheap.
"If I say ‘electric,’ people think ’slow.’ They think electric cars are golf carts," Malcolm Bricklin, chairman and chief executive of Visionary Vehicles, said at the much-concluded NAIAS. "What people don’t get is they’re very fast, and they’re real."
Take the Karma car built by Fisker. The sports car can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 125 mph. However, the Karma can travel 50 miles on electric power alone utilizing a reliable lithium-ion battery and an electric motor. The sports car bearing a $80,000 price sticker is set to kick off at the end of next year.
Outside, the sports car will remind aficionados of a Maserati or a Corvette. The austere interior, with rich brown and tan leathers and buttons that are flush with the dashboard, was inspired by a Manhattan penthouse, said Henrik Fisker, founder and CEO of Lake Forest, California-based Fisker Automotive.
"I wanted to make a real statement of how sexy a green car can be," he told Seattle Times. “Otherwise, green cars will never achieve the mass appeal needed to make an environmental difference.”
Fisker predicts Karma global sales of 15,000 annually. Fisker Automotive is talking to several companies about a partnership to distribute the vehicle and should have more details in spring, he said.
"We know the system works," said Alan Niedzwiecki, a Fisker director and CEO of Quantum Fuel Systems, an investor in the carmaker. "We’ve had it for four years from a vehicle we did for the Department of Defense."
Aaron Bragman, an analyst with Global Insight, a consulting firm, said that there is a market for expensive, environmentally friendly vehicles, but that it will be difficult for small manufacturers to do what giants like GM and Toyota have failed at because of cost and technological difficulties.
With the advent of innovations and discoveries, a Lund Superstep running board kit is expected to improve, cars will be better and driving more satisfying.
February 7, 2008
The Honda Odyssey is absolutely one of the best family cars in the planet today. What else could you ask from this one-of-a-kind vehicle? I guess it went beyond the basic expectations of every family who owns one of these rides. The exterior styling along with its plain fenders adopted simplicity and moderation.
Apparently, the Odyssey’s body styling shows a humble and tough character, but wait until you see what’s inside of this lovely family vehicle… Oh yeah, the Odyssey is super loaded within! You want to know why? Just check out the interior features offered courtesy of Honda.com:
- Air Conditioning (Manual, Front and Rear)
- Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Power Windows with Auto-Up/Down Driver’s Window (Front and 2nd-Row)
- Programmable Power Door and Tailgate Locks
- Cruise Control
- Steering Wheel-Mounted Audio Controls
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel and Shift Knob
- Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition and Rearview Camera with DVD
- Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System
- HomeLink® Remote System*
- Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®
- Retractable Center Tray Table with Bag Hooks
- Ambient Console Lighting
- Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
- Rearview Mirror with Rearview Camera Display without Navigation
- Driver’s and Front Passenger’s Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
- Conversation Mirror with Sunglasses Holder
- Sunglasses Holder
- Map Lights (all rows)
- Instrument Panel-Mounted Shifter
- Power Adjustable Pedals
- Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column
- Beverage Holders (per row: 1st/2nd/3rd)
- Upper and Lower Glove Compartments
- 12-Volt Power Outlets (1 Front, 1 Rear)
- 115-Volt Power Outlet (3rd-Row) with DVD
- In-Floor Storage (2nd-Row)
- Seatback Pockets (Front-Row) Passenger-Side
- Seatback Pockets (2nd-Row)
- Coin Holder
- Passenger-Assist Grips (all rows), 2nd-Row with Garment Hooks
- Integrated Sunshades (2nd-Row)
- Remote Fuel Filler Door Release
- Front Door Courtesy Lights
- Rear Window Defroster
- Rear-Seat Heater Ducts
- Floor Mats
- Cargo Area Light
- Rear Storage Well
- Cargo Area Tie-Down Anchors (6 total)
- Cargo Area Bag Hooks (8 total)
- HomeLink®
February 6, 2008
Crossovers may be new to the industry, but they catch up easily. They are swiftly amassing a slice in the auto market pie. And automakers are happy about it.
Ford sales might be down so far this year, but the company’s crossovers continue to score double-digit gains as consumers replace their large sport utilities.
The Dearborn-automaker is second to General Motors in the segment, according to Autodata Corp. Ford has 18% of the market, compared with GM’s 22%. But the former’s growth in the segment is escalating. The Ford Edge was up 95%. The Lincoln MKX was up 78%. Even the SUV-like Escape had a 34% improvement.
Demand for Ford’s crossovers remained strong in January. Sales for the Ford Edge were 95 percent higher than a year ago and the Lincoln MKX was up 78 percent.
Retail demand for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars also was strong in January, especially for the new Focus. Sales for the Focus were up 44 percent compared with a year ago, with retail sales up 33 percent. Combined retail sales for the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln MKZ also were higher than a year ago.
"We’re very pleased with this result," said Jim Farley, Ford’s group vice president, Marketing and Communications. "Our dealers really delivered this month, despite a challenging economic and competitive environment.
"It’s not going to get any easier - at least for awhile," added Farley. "Recent monetary actions and the proposed stimulus package may help the economy later this year, but we’re not pinning our hopes on that. Our plan is based on restructuring our business to be profitable at lower demand and changed mix while also accelerating the development of new products people want to buy."
Other hot vehicles from the Dearborn-based automaker will kick off this summer. The models include Ford Flex crossover and Lincoln MKS sedan. Ford F-150 pickup, meanwhile, will arrive later in the fall.
Plush crossover manufacturers such as the maker of
Acura Vigor parts could be pretty much enthused. That’s quite nice.
