2009 Audi A4
Posted by site admin on 20 Aug 2008
A New Face
Upon its introduction, the Audi A4 sounded a clear challenge to it’s competitors, namely the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. At the time, it was a breath of fresh air, providing incredible quality of design with some innovative features. However, since its introduction, the A4 has not undergone any serious overhauls, while the 3 Series and the C-Class have continued to evolve and offer the newer technologies and gadgets that buyers have come to expect. The 2009 Audi A4 has been redesigned in an effort to regain the vehicle’s competitive edge, and it has succeeded admirably.
A New Body
When looking at many of the pictures of the new A4, you may think that the aesthetics of the previous generations have simply been recycled. However, while the basic body lines are similar, the 2009 A4 features more aggressive and edgy detailing, as well as some revamped surfacing. While the looks of the previous iterations of the A4 have always conveyed elegance, the new A4 conveys beauty. Added to this new body style is the fact that the vehicle itself has been made bigger, both in length and in width. However, despite this increased length, the A4 still manages to maintain the drive quality and responsiveness that has characterized the model since it’s inception. Much of this is due to the Audi Drive Select (ADS) system. Many other vehicles feature similar systems that allow the driver, at the touch of a button, to change the ride quality, whether for a more comfortable ride or for a sportier ride. The Audi system, however, sets itself apart by noticeably adjusting the steering and throttle response.
New Insides
One thing that Audi has always been know for is creating an interior that screams quality and high price, and then putting that interior into a vehicle that costs less than most of it’s competitors. The 2009 A4 is no exception to this trend. The interior design is characterized by not only an innovative layout that features an optional Multi Media Interface, but also by an exquisite attention to detail. Compare the A4’s interior to that of another model in the same class and odds are you’ll find that the A4 stands head and shoulders above the others.
The redesign of the A4 has cost Audi 3 years and $1 billion. However, considering the quality of the vehicle that has resulted from that redesign, it was time and money well spent.
2009 Dodge Ram 1500
Posted by site admin on 19 Aug 2008
Driving Safe
Pickup trucks have generally been considered to be fairly safe vehicles. The tough construction necessary required to stand up to the rigors of the work many drivers put trucks through naturally translates to increased safety. However, for the 2009 Ram 1500, Dodge has introduced even more standard safety features than on previous iterations of the model. After all, a safe driver is a happy driver. All models of the 2009 Ram will come equipped with dual-stage front air bags and curtain side air bags to protect the cab’s occupants in the event of a collision. Of course, avoiding a collision entirely is a much better way to stay safe than relying on air bags, so the Ram truck models will also feature anti-lock brakes with brake assist, traction control, and electronic stability control. The combination of these features allows the driver to stop in a shorter distance and also to avoid losing traction when road conditions are bad.
New Suspension
Check out the rear suspension of almost any pickup truck and you’ll find a leaf spring setup. While not providing as smooth a ride as a coil spring suspension system, the leaf spring setup has been the general go-to setup for years. For the 2009 model year, though, Dodge is breaking away from this standby system in favor of a multi-link coil spring rear suspension system. In order to implement this advanced system, Dodge also had to redesign and highly modify the rear section of the Ram’s frame. This rede-sign and the new suspension system allow for greater control for the driver and also for an increased load capacity of 1850 pounds and a towing capacity of 1900 pounds.
A Great Ride
Of course, it doesn’t matter how much weight a truck can haul or how advanced the suspension system is if the ride is unbearable. Fortunately, Dodge has spent as much time designing the interior as it has designing the nuts and bolts of the truck’s strength. While you may have to step up to the higher priced levels of the Ram 1500 to reap the full benefits of Dodge’s design, including heated seats and steering wheel and in-floor storage compartments, even the base model will provide a comfortable ride. The 2009 model year Dodge Ram 1500 is the first model year since 2002 to feature an extensive redesign. You can expect the gradual refinements over the past seven years, as well as newly emerging technologies to have a great impact on increasing the Ram’s com-fort.
2009 Mazda 6: Zoom Zoom Has Come A Long Way
Posted by site admin on 17 Aug 2008
The Mazda 6 hit the street in 2003 and over the last five years the car has been both praised and criticized. It has a great power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering set and it was compared to the BMW 3 series. The 6 is considered a mid-size sedan, but it was smaller that the comparable Camry and Accord and had less power. Mazda’s sales were down lower than they had hoped so they knew that the 2009 models would have to be new and improved. With three different styles - or ‘trims’ as they call it - to choose from, the 2009 Mazda 6 is still a blast on the roadways.
The first thing Mazda did for the 2009 model year was give the car 6.9″ more in length and 4.5″ in wheelbase, making it closer to its mid-sized competitors than it was affording drivers and passengers more room in the cockpit for the legs, shoulders, and hips. Additionally the new design has also added more trunk space for luggage. To accommodate the additional 200 lbs. of car, Mazda has upped both the 4-cylinder and V6 engines, going with the 2.5 liter inline-4, giving the car 170 horsepower, 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway in the six-speed manual edition. The automatic addition gets 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The V6 engine is a 3.7 liter, 272 horsepower engine found in the CX-9 crossover. It only comes in an automatic and gets 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
One of the things the new 2009 Mazda 6 has had fixed is the errant noise and vibrations that were found in previous models. The entire cabin area has been made more rigid and no longer acts like a noise magnet. Wind noise from the door seals and sunroof has also been fixed. The chassis has been changed to a one piece forged steel design and this has helped improve the turning circle almost 5 degrees. The Mazda 6i comes with 16 or 17 inch Michelin Pilot four-season radials and the 6s comes with 17 or 18″.
Additional features that come with the new 2009 Mazda 6 include airbags, ABS, child seat hookup latches, key less entry and a 10 speaker, 333-watt Bose stereo system. There is also an option blind-spot monitoring system available for lane changes.
The car has been accepted by consumers favorably so far but with the economy in questionable shape and gas prices being so high, it’s hard to tell how well the V6 will continue to sell. The overall body changes has not harmed the mobility the Mazda 6 has always had and it still holds its sportier edge over the other sedans in its class. The 2009 Mazda 6i and 6s are offered with SV, Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring packages and the price for the 2009 Mazda 6i ranges from $19,000 to $26,000. The prices for the 2009 Mazda 6s is from $24,000 to $28,400.
Future Hybrid Vehicles
Posted by site admin on 30 Jul 2008
Future Hybrid Cars:
If you are expecting to buy a vehicle in the next few months you might want to think twice before you sign above the dotted line. The next few years are expected to be exciting for new hybrid automobiles. Climbing oil prices, consumer demands and economic conditions have forced the automobile industry to mainstream hybrid technologies. That’s good news for us. These new vehicles will provide significant fuel savings and they will be available at affordable prices. Being a hybrid vehicle will no longer be a emblem with the word ‘hybrid’ slapped on the back of a vehicle just to get a few more sales. It will be the real thing.
We will only cover the most talked about vehicles from major manufacturers that have a real release date. These vehicles are not concepts or rumors but they are coming to a highway and garage near you in 2009 or 2010.
The Audi A1 is to be released in 2010. It is a subcompact car which looks like an oversized mini cooper. It will sport either a two or four door hatch and is built on the Golf IV PQ34 platform. This car will have a 1.4 liter engine most likely Volkswagen’s ‘twin charger’ engine already in use. It will come with all the standard features and will cost around $18′000.
The 2010 BMW X6 is a four door coup. It is advertised as a coupe due to its sloped roofline. Don’t let that fool you this car needs no advertising tricks to gain respect or sales. It retains the look of a BMW and offers a 20% fuel reduction versus non-hybrid vehicles. BMW calls it the world’s first hybrid ‘Sports Activity Coupe’. It features two revolutionary electric motors with a combustion engine. It can be driven using electric only, gasoline only or a combination of the two.
The 2009 Chevy Silverado full size truck boasts an amazing 50% fuel reduction versus the non-hybrid version. It is the truck industries’ first full size hybrid pickup. It can go up to 30 mile per hour on electricity alone. Most important, it will still pull all the loads that the non-hybrid Silverado can.
The 2010 Chevy Volt will probably be the most practical hybrid vehicle available. The Volt is predicted to be the vehicle that will help middle class America make the transition from combustion to hybrid. It uses a lithium-ion battery. Its power source will be either gasoline or where available E85 ethanol. It is designed to be plugged in and recharged overnight using a common 110 volt household plug. Those who travel less than 40 miles a day will use zero gasoline. For long term trips over 40 miles the battery will be charged ‘on the road’ using the gasoline or E85 fuel source.
The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milant Hybrids internally will be virtually identical. They will use a variant of Ford’s 2.3 Liter 4 cylinder engine. They can be switched to electric only, gasoline only or a combination of both. The combustion engine will produce 133hp .with the electric motor providing an additional 94hp. These will be available in 2009.
The Honda CR-Z will hit the European market along with the Civic Hybrid in late 2009 or early 2010 at around $28′000. The CR-Z replaces the Insight and will be a remake of the legendary1987-92 CR-X. It will boast 214/45 R19 tires, leather and mesh seats, cool colors and a sleek, high-tech cabin. The CR-Z will sit on the new Jazz platform and is designed to be ‘futuristic and dynamic in a compact form’. Honda says that CR-Z stands for Compact Renaissance Zero which is an ‘expression to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals. This head turning car will put the ‘cool’ into hybrid.
The 2009 Hyundai Accent Hybrid despite the flurry of press releases and buzz will be a carry over from the 2008 model. It offers 33 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. This line was introduced in 2006 and has seen strong sales each year. It boasts a standard 2.4 liter l4 192 hp hybrid engine. Automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. Its unique features are LED tail lights and an air conditioning system that can be run when the combustion engine is off.
These are quality vehicles that give you real gasoline savings. You can buy these in confidence knowing they are not built just to keep a portion of America happy. They are well built, reliable and priced well. They are truly all around good vehicles especially at a time when global events force the world to transition away from the gasoline engine. The beginning of the Hybrid era has started and it is looking pretty good so far.
Plug In Hybrid Cars Still Far Away
Posted by site admin on 28 Jul 2008
With the introduction of the first hybrid car in 1999, car manufacturers have been busy working on improving the car’s processes, how much gasoline they use and alternative ways of charging up the batteries. It was recently announced that hybrid cars that actually plug in to the wall to charge are the wave of the future - and that future really isn’t all that far away. With gasoline prices climbing steadily towards $5.00 a gallon, however, the advent of plug-in charging for a hybrid vehicle simply may not come soon enough.
Other than being able to charge the batteries, there is another culprit that may keep people from running out and purchasing the cars: the price of the batteries themselves. Until manufacturers can come up with a way to produce them for less without compromising quality, the demand for hybrid plug-in cars is still low. Hybrids in the United States still have not completely been accepted, with projections of sales in 2008 only reaching about 2.5 percent of the fifteen million overall sales. In Europe, diesel is considerably cheaper to buy thanks to government policies, but even then, it took diesel cars almost twenty years to reach between 50 and 60 percent of their overall sales.
Even though hybrid cars would help everyone cope with the growing gasoline prices, there are still some issues that need to be addressed before consumers can justify replacing their standard gasoline powered cars with plug-in hybrid vehicles. The first thing would be commitment to production by all automakers. Only Chevrolet and Saturn have started production with their Volt and Vue respectively. Price is another factor, maybe even the biggest one for most people. Plug-ins will cost more because of the additional components that will be needed in order to plug in the batteries.
This leads to the power technology of the cars that does not deal with gasoline. The batteries are still under improvement, and consumers will need ones that are better and potentially smaller while still providing the power. Pollution is another issue, and environmentalists wonder if the issue would just go from greenhouse gases to increased stress on the power grids.
If manufacturers work at improving the batteries so they can use 110-volt outlet, then maybe plug-in hybrid vehicles would become more popular and gasoline considerably cheaper when consumers stop relying on it to power their vehicles. It may also help drive the cost of the cars down. Unfortunately, it may be 2015 before consumers will see any of these improvements finally put into effect.
2009 Mazda 5 - A Brief Review
Posted by site admin on 27 Jul 2008
The new 2009 Mazda5 will see no major changes from the 2008, but considering how successful an automobile the 2008 5 Series was, that is certainly not a bad thing. The Mazda 5 is based off of the compact Mazda 3 but features a longer and taller body. The Mazda 5 also has seating for six, sliding rear doors, and a single-piece lift gate. The three available models, the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring, are all powered by Mazda’s 2.3 liter 4 cylinder engine, the same power plant found in i Models of the Maz-da 6 and the most of the Mazda 3 models. It is a testament to Mazda’s engineering skill that a single engine can power such a diverse range of vehicles. And not only is the engine versatile, but it is also efficient, boasting 22 mpg city/28 highway for the manual transmission and 21 mpg city/27 highway for the automatic transmission.
Plenty of Room
The seating for six on the 2009 Mazda 5 is organized in three rows of two seats. The third row folds down to allow for easier access or extended cargo room and the second row seats recline and tilt, just in case you need to fit something extra large into the back. To further expand the amount of cargo space, the Mazda 5 features a large storage space under the floor just inside the rear hatch.
Safety First
The Mazda 5 is classified as a compact minivan and, as such, is a great choice of vehicle for families. Of course, when driving with your family, you want to keep them safe. The Mazda 5 features the Triple-H construction method for it’s structural components. By implementing this design, Mazda has succeeded in creating a passenger cabin that is able to preserve it’s integrity should a collision occur. These H-shaped elements can be found in the sides, roof, floor, and firewall of the Mazda 5, ensuring protection from every angle. Also, the 2009 Mazda 5 features disc brakes on all four wheels, along with Mazda’s Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) technology. The EBD will analyze the braking loads of each wheel and then allocate the braking power depending on exactly what each wheel needs. The abilities of disc brakes when combined with Mazda’s EBD system makes for much shorter stopping distances, and therefore greater safety. After all, the best way to survive a crash unharmed is to avoid the crash in the first place.
Mazda has proven itself to be a viable force in the marketplace, providing cars that are sporty, efficient, and safe all at the same time. It is no surprise then that the 2009 Maz-da 5 compact minivan can be considered one of the best buys this year.
Toyota Planning second hybrid model release in 2009
Posted by site admin on 23 Jul 2008
After tremendous success of its fuel-efficient best seller Prius, Toyota is planning to introduce 2nd hybrid only vehicle by 2009. It plans to produce 100,000 units a year from a subsidiary in southern Japan.
This is going to be the 2nd hybrid model from Toyota after they had striking success with Prius which is one of the best car in its segment. The new hybrid will have 2 to 2.5 - liter engine where as current Prius uses 1.5 - liter engine. This means that the new hybrid will be larger then the current Prius. The new hybrid will be sold under Toyota’s luxury Lexus brand name.
The new hybrid only model will be sold along with the current Toyota hybrids i.e Camry Hybrid, Prius and Highlander Hybrid.
Toyota planned to sell 1 million hybrid vehicles per year. As the demand for fuel guzzler SUVs are declining, Toyota is not leaving any stone unturned to capitalize on popular demand for hybrid vehicles.
The new unnamed all hybrid vehicle can be seen at North American International Auto Show in January.
Hybrid Car Tax Incentives
Posted by site admin on 02 Jul 2008
Tax breaks which was started in 2005 to boost the sale of environment friendly fuel miser cars are fast disappearing for some of the hybrid cars. These tax incentives used to save lot of money for hybrid car buyers. But things are changing slowly as the top hybrid cars in America will soon see a reduced or no tax incentives.
First in the line is Honda Civic hybrid the no. 3 selling hybrid car. The tax credit for this car is cut by half i.e. from $1,050 to $525. It is going to be nil by the end of the year. Number 1 and 2nd top selling cars i.e. Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry hybrid which used to get a tax credit of about $3,150 has already vanished.
Toyota Prius and Honda Civic are most fuel efficient cars which gives 44 miles per gallon where as Toyota Camry stands at 34 mpg.
2005 federal law which gave hybrid credit states that the tax breaks is phased out once a manufacturer sells 60,000 fuel efficient vehicles. Toyota Prius being famous reached the limit first. However, a diminished tax break is not having any effect on the sale of these cars. In the absence of tax credits it might take longer for fuel saving to make up for the extra cost of these hybrid cars.
The buyers are just tired of paying extra dollars at the pump and just want to go hybrid. The seldom do the math of how and what they will save in the long run.
Vehicles the still qualify for tax credits are Altima, Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Escape. Honda Civic GX which is powered by natural gas gets $4000 tax credit.
I am not sure what impact this will have in future but if government is not doing anything to reduce the dependence on oil then what is the point in reducing or getting rid of tax credits which in my opinion could be the most inexpensive way to fight will oil prices.
2009 Porsche 911 Carrera
Posted by site admin on 01 Jul 2008
2009 Porsche 911 Carrera was unveiled recently with some minor changes in terms of looks and some major ones under the boot.
3600cc and 3800cc engines that power Carrera and Carrera S models is going to be completely new and would now feature direct injection for the first time. This will result in increased horsepower, torque and better economy. 3.6-liter 911 Carrera is likely to get 20 hp rise 345 hp while 3.8-liter 911 Carrera S claims a 30 hp boost to 385 hp.
The other update which improves the performance of 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera further is new clutch. 2009 Porsche 911 will be fitted with its own “PDK” a 7 speed dual clutch sequential manual transmission with launch control. Officially it is named as Porshe Doppelkupplung.
The new Porsche 911 will be fitted with bi-xenon lights and oval shaped exhaust tips. The tail and driving lamps are are now LEDs. The car is also supposed to get a touch screen, hard disk based navigation system with iPod and Bluetooth interfaces.
2009 Volvo XC60 - Safest Volvo Car
Posted by site admin on 30 Apr 2008
Volvo revealed their new 2009 Volvo XC60 at Geneva Motor show and thus entered boldly into the toughest terrain of the motoring world. Volvo officials claimed that their new model will have both the toughness of SUV and the luxury of a Coupe. It is one of the safest Volvos ever built.
In the new car Volvo has introduced “City Safety” which will help driver reduce the damage caused in the low speed impacts which is common in the cities.
Volvo further claimed that they are the first manufacturer in the world to provide such safety feature in the standard version. The safety features are:
- Prevent accidents
- Protects occupants in collision.
Te car will be launched with 3 engine variants i.e.:
- 3.0L inline-six turbo petrol that produces 286ps
- 2.4L D that will produce 165ps
- 2.4L D5that will produce 187ps
More variants might be planned which would be known once the production of the car will start.
With new 2009 Volvo XC60 company is going to target gadget and gizmo lover youth consumers. The sales target for XC60 is 50,000 units per year and the car will be built at Volvo car factory at Ghent, Belgium.